A patient has the following acid-base status: pH = 7.26; PaCO2= 70 mm Hg; and HCO3 = 31 mEq/L. Which ...

(Answer to Q. 1)  ANS: D
First, the acid-base balance must be analyzed. A pH of 7.26 indicates acidosis. A PaCO2 of 70 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 of 31 mEq/L is indicative of a compensation for the respiratory acidosis. Therefore, this blood gas result is indicative of partially compensated respiratory acidosis. Respiratory acidosis can be caused by acute airway obstruction. Diabetes mellitus causes metabolic acidosis. Salicylate intoxication causes metabolic acidosis. Excess ant-acid ingestion will cause metabolic alkalosis.

(Answer to Q. 2)  ANS: B
When the PaO2 is greater than 100 mm Hg, the oxygen status is considered excessively or overly corrected. A PaO2 of 155 mm Hg is not possible without supplemental oxygen.

(Answer to Q. 3)  ANS: A
Diarrhea can be caused by a metabolic acidosis. Arterial blood gas values in which the pH is 7.15 (acidosis), PaCO2 is 20 mm Hg, and the HCO3 is 7.4 mEq/L are indicative of a partially compen-sated metabolic acidosis. Answer B is an uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Answer C is a par-tially compensated respiratory alkalosis, and answer D is a partially compensated metabolic alka-losis.

(Answer to Q. 4)  ANS: B
Respiratory alkalosis can be caused by encephalitis and excessive mechanical ventilatory support. Diuretic therapy and nasogastric suctioning can cause metabolic alkalosis, and renal dysfunction can cause metabolic acidosis.

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