A patient with a 10-year history of chronic bronchitis and an acute viral pneumonia exhibits the following blood gas results breathing room air: pH = 7.22; PCO₂= 67; HCO₃^- = 26; PO₂ = 60. Which of the following best describes this patient's condition?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's blood gas results show low pH, high PCO2, and normal or slightly low PO2. This indicates acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, which is commonly associated with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pneumonia. Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD and the patient's history of it suggests an underlying chronic respiratory condition. The acute viral pneumonia likely caused an acute exacerbation leading to the current respiratory failure.

A Patient with a 10-Year History of Chronic Bronchitis and an Acute