Which arterial blood gas finding is characteristic of an uncompensated respiratory acidosis?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. pH 7.28, PaCO2 56 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L

Answer: pH 7.28, PaCO2 56 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L.
Why not the others: pH 7.48, PaCO2 32 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L represents uncompensated respiratory alkalosis; pH 7.36, PaCO2 40 mmHg, HCO3 24 mEq/L indicates completely normal arterial blood gas parameters; pH 7.46, PaCO2 44 mmHg, HCO3 30 mEq/L represents uncompensated metabolic alkalosis.

Practise more Medical-Surgical Nursing and Critical Care Interventions.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed MOH Prometric mock tests.