NCLEX-RN Exam Practice

Category - Respiratory

You are reviewing an arterial blood gas for a patient. Which result would lead you to believe this patient has respiratory acidosis?
  1. pH of 7.48
  2. PCO2 of 32 mm Hg
  3. pH of 7.30
  4. HCO3 of 20 mEq/L
Explanation
Answer: C - A pH level of 7.30 would indicate an acid base imbalance. The normal pH is 7.35 and 7.45. Anything less than 7.35 would indicate acidosis, and anything greater than 7.45 would indicate an alkaline state. The normal PCO2 is 35 to 45 mm Hg. Bicarbonate is usually associated with a metabolic state.
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