A client is admitted for a diagnosis of sepsis secondary to a urinary tract infection. The client's repeat ABG is: pH 7.37, PC02 30, HCO3 of 18. Which acid-base imbalance is the client exhibiting?

Rationale: A. The pH is at the lower limit of normal but combined with low bicarbonate indicates imbalance, so not normal. B. Respiratory acidosis would show increased PaCO₂, but here PaCO₂ is low. C. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by elevated bicarbonate, which is not present. D. Metabolic acidosis is indicated by low HCO₃ (18) and compensatory respiratory alkalosis (low PaCO₂ of 30) to maintain near-normal pH. This fits the ABG results.