Respiratory Test Question - feedback desired

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Heh...yeah, another one of those posts :)

We had a question on a test today. I'm not sure I know what the right answer is, and I would appreciate any assistance in clarifying this:

"You are caring for a client who is on a cardiac monitor, is intubated, and is on ventilation. The client's ABG results are: ph 7.37, pCO2 38 mmHg, and HCO3 23 mEq/L. What condition is this client experiencing?

A. Respiratory alkalosis

B. Respiratory acidosis

C. Metabolic alkalosis

D. Metabolic acidosis"

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

In reality, this is a perfectly acceptable blood gas. But school is not reality :)

Based on the strictest norms of pH 7.40, pCO2 of 40 and HCO3 24, the answer your instructor is looking for is metabolic acidosis.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

the more correct answer is not there, but it is compensated metabolic acidosis.

abg tutorials and weblinks to practice problems are on post # 45 of this sticky thread: https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/pathophysiology-p-microbiology-145201.html - pathophysiology/ a & p/ microbiology/ fluid & electrolyte resources

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