ABG of a patient shows following findings Ph 7.0 Pco2 -80 HCO3- 24. What is your inference: (A) Metabolic acidosis, (B) Metabolic alkalosis, (C) Respiratory acidosis, (D) Respiratory alkalosis
Answer is C. Normal pH is 7.35 - 7.45: So this patient is in acidosis Normal PaCo2 is 35-45 mm of Hg: Increased PaCO2 means respiratory acidosis Normal HCO3- is 22-26 mEq/L: this is in the normal range So the patient has Respiratory acidosis with no metabolic compensation. ** If HCO3- is elevated, then we can say there is metabolic compensation. ref - harrisons internal medicine 20e pg322