Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 78%
Simulated
A nurse reviews the arterial blood gas (ABG) values of a client admitted with pneumonia: pH, 7.32; PaCO2, 48 mm Hg; PaO2, 70 mm Hg; and HCO3, 24 mEq/L. What do these values indicate?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Elevated PaCO2 and low pH indicate respiratory acidosis, common in pneumonia.