Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Simulated
The nurse should recognize that the client is experiencing Laboratory: pH 7.19 [7.35-7.45], PaCO2 36 mm Hg [35-45 mm Hg], HCO3 12 mEq/L [22-28 mEq/L], PaO2 90 mm Hg [80-100 mm Hg]
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Low pH (7.19) and low HCO3- (12 mEq/L) with normal PaCO2 indicate uncompensated metabolic acidosis (B). No compensation is evident as PaCO2 is normal.