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NCLEX-RN Exam Practice

Category - Respiratory

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You have drawn an arterial blood gas on your patient. In reviewing the results you note the following: pH 7.45, PCO2 of 30 mm Hg, and bicarbonate of 22mEq/L. What do you interpret these results to mean?
  1. Metabolic acidosis, compensated
  2. Metabolic alkalosis, compensated
  3. Respiratory acidosis, compensated
  4. Respiratory alkalosis, compensated
Explanation
Answer: C - The arterial blood gas results are indicative of respiratory acidosis, compensated. In a respiratory condition, pH and PCO2 will display opposite effects. In this instance the patient’s pH is at the high end of normal, and PCO2 is low. Compensation occurs when the pH is starting to return to normal, while the PCO2 remains low.
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Additional Answers

Kevin Paul Megio says:

I think the answer is D.) Respiratory Alkalosis, Compensated. Ph - 7.35-7.45 : Decreased - Acidic; Increased - Alkaline PCO2 - 35-45 : Decreased- Alkaline; Increased- Acidic HCO3 (Bicarb) : 22-26: Decreased- Acidic; Increased- Alkaline

Kevin Paul Megio says:

I think the answer is D.) Respiratory Alkalosis, Compensated. Ph - 7.35-7.45 : Decreased - Acidic; Increased - Alkaline PCO2 - 35-45 : Decreased- Alkaline; Increased- Acidic HCO3 (Bicarb) : 22-26: Decreased- Acidic; Increased- Alkaline

Guillermo Legaria says:

This answer is wrong. In fact, there's no right choice here. It should be RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS, Uncompensated. The pH value is normal but higher end, so its Alkalosis. The PCO2 is low, therefore the relationship between the pH and PCO2 is the opposite which means it is a RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS. Since the HCO3 is a normal value, it is UNCOMPENSATED. Always remember: It is UNCOMPENSATED if one of the values between PCO2 and HCO3 is normal. It is FULLY COMPENSATED if the pH value is normal. It is PARTIALLY COMPENSATED if all three values (pH, PCO2, and HCO3) are ABNORMAL.

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