Lena Mason, who has diabetes, is admitted in a stuporous condition. Her blood gases show a pH of 7.33, PaCO2 of 40 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 20 mEq/L. What type of acid-base imbalance does this patient have?

Metabolic alkalosis, uncompensated

Respiratory alkalosis, uncompensated

Respiratory acidosis, uncompensated

Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3-. The patient's pH and HCO3- are both low, indicating acidosis, not alkalosis.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2. The patient's pH is low and PaCO2 is normal, indicating a metabolic problem, not a respiratory one.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2. The patient's pH is low, but PaCO2 is normal, indicating a metabolic problem, not a respiratory one.

Choice D reason: This is correct because metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3-. The patient's pH and HCO3- are both low, indicating a metabolic disorder. The condition is uncompensated because the PaCO2 is normal, meaning the respiratory system is not compensating for the metabolic acidosis.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the pH and the HCO3- are both elevated, indicating a loss of acids or a gain of bases in the body. This is not the case for this patient, as his HCO3- is within the normal range of 22 to 26 mEq/L.

Choice B reason: Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the pH and the PaCO2 are both low, indicating a retention of carbon dioxide in the lungs due to hypoventilation. This is not the case for this patient, as his pH is high and his PaCO2 is low.

Choice C reason: Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the pH and the PaCO2 are both high, indicating a loss of carbon dioxide in the lungs due to hyperventilation. This is the case for this patient, as his pH is above the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45 and his PaCO2 is below the normal range of 35 to 45 mm Hg. This condition is uncompensated, as his HCO3- is within the normal range and has not changed to counteract the pH imbalance.

Choice D reason: Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the pH and the HCO3- are both low, indicating a gain of acids or a loss of bases in the body. This is not the case for this patient, as his pH is high and his HCO3- is within the normal range.

A. Metabolic alkalosis B. Metabolic acidosis C. Respiratory alkalosis D. Respiratory acidosis

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is correct because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a high HCO3-. The client's pH and HCO3- are both high, indicating a metabolic disorder. The condition is uncompensated because the PaCO2 is normal, meaning the respiratory system is not compensating for the metabolic alkalosis.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a low HCO3-. The client's pH and HCO3- are both high, indicating alkalosis, not acidosis.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH and a low PaCO2. The client's pH is high, but PaCO2 is normal, indicating a metabolic problem, not a respiratory one.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH and a high PaCO2. The client's pH is high, and PaCO2 is normal, indicating a metabolic problem, not a respiratory one.

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Lena Mason, who has diabetes, is admitted in a stuporous condition. Her blood gases show a pH of 7.33, PaCO2 of 40 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 20 mEq/L. What type of acid-base imbalance does this patient have?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

George Torres is admitted with a head injury. He is comatose and is breathing rapidly. His blood gases show a pH of 7.47, PaCO2 of 32 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 26 mEq/L. Compare these gases to normal values. What type of imbalance does this patient have, and is it being compensated or uncompensated?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client. The client's ABGs are: pH 7.6 PaCO2 40 mm Hg HCO3 32 mEq/L Which of the following acid-base conditions should the nurse identify the client is experiencing?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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