NCLEX-RN Exam Practice

Category - Respiratory

You are caring for a patient in respiratory acidosis. Which of the following results confirms this diagnosis?
  1. pH 7.50, PCO2 52 mm Hg
  2. pH 7.35, PCO2 40 mm Hg
  3. pH 7.25, PCO2 50 mm Hg
  4. pH 5.50, PCO2 30 mm Hg
Explanation
Answer: C - The patient with a pH 7.25 and PCO2 50 mm Hg is in respiratory acidosis. A normal pH would be 7.35 to 7.45, and a normal PCO2 is 35 to 45 mm Hg. When looking at the labs, if the patient is in respiratory acidosis the pH will be down, and PCO2 will be elevated.
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