understanding partial compensation in ABGs

[ajmoore1325]

I was presented this problem, and the compensation makes no sense to me.

PH- 7.48 CO2-25 Bi carb-28

Alot of my fellow students say this is resp. alkalosis partially compensated. I dont understand how a bicarb of 28 would compensate for a Co2 of 25, My thinking is that the Bicarb should be lower in order to bring the Co2 acid back into normal range to be partially compensated. Am I making sense?

[GilaRRT]

I was presented this problem, and the compensation makes no sense to me.

PH- 7.48 CO2-25 Bi carb-28

Alot of my fellow students say this is resp. alkalosis partially compensated. I dont understand how a bicarb of 28 would compensate for a Co2 of 25, My thinking is that the Bicarb should be lower in order to bring the Co2 acid back into normal range to be partially compensated. Am I making sense?

Well, the Ph violates Henderson Hasselbach for starters. However, we will look at the ABG without any other considerations.

1) The Ph indicates an alkalosis.

2) Find the cause of the alkalosis. In this case both the CO2 and HCO3- are alkalotic.

3) There is no compensation here. This ABG is a mixed alkalosis, contains both a metabolic and respiratory component.

You are correct in your thinking.

[ajmoore1325]

exactly what I thought thanks for the second opinion!