Question

A client suffering from an asthma attack is brought to the emergency department. The client's body temperature is 98.4 f, pulse rate is 110 bpm, respiratory rate is 24 shallow breaths/minute, and the blood pressure is 136/86 mm hg. Arterial blood gas values are also documented. Blood ph 7.30, partial pressure of carbon dioxide 58 mm hg, partial pressure of oxygen 88 mm hg, bicarbonate concentration 29 meq/l, oxygen saturation 88%. Which condition has the client developed?

Answer 1

The correct answer is uncompensated respiratory acidosis.

This is a condition in which decreased ventilation (hypoventilation) increases the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood which causes the pH of blood and to decrease (becomes acidic. Acidosis occurs because restoration of normal acid-base balance is not possible or has not yet been achieved. Uncompensated acidosis is characterized by abnormal pH and abnormal values of PaCO2 or HCO3.