Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 85%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client whose arterial blood gases include a pH of 7.30, an HCO3- of 18 mEq/L and a PaCO2 of 28 mm Hg. The nurse should suspect that the client has developed which of the following acid-base imbalances?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Metabolic acidosis. The pH is low (acidosis) and the HCO3- is also low, indicating a primary metabolic acidosis. The low PaCO2 (respiratory alkalosis compensation) further supports metabolic acidosis. Other choices are incorrect because B: Respiratory acidosis would have a high PaCO2, C: Metabolic alkalosis would have a high HCO3-, and D: Respiratory alkalosis would have a low PaCO2 with a high pH.