A client is admitted to the emergency room with a respiratory rate of 7/min. Arterial blood gases (ABG) reveal the following values. Which of the following is an appropriate analysis of the ABGs? pH 7.22 PaCO2 68 mm Hg Base excess -2 PaO2 78 mm Hg Saturation 80% Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L

A. Metabolic alkalosis The pH is acidic, and HCO₃ is normal. This rules out metabolic alkalosis. B. Metabolic acidosis HCO₃ is normal, so metabolic acidosis is unlikely. C. Respiratory alkalosis Alkalosis would have pH > 7.45; this pH is acidic. D. Respiratory acidosis pH is low (acidic), and CO₂ is high-this is classic respiratory acidosis.