A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following arterial blood gas values would the nurse expect this client to have?

A. pH 7.26, HCO3 24, PaCO2 46: The low pH indicates acidosis, but the bicarbonate is normal, and the elevated PaCO2 points to respiratory acidosis, not the metabolic type typically seen in AKI. B. pH 7.49, HCO3 30, PaCO2 40: This is metabolic alkalosis, which is not expected in AKI. AKI usually leads to retention of acids due to impaired excretion, resulting in metabolic acidosis, not alkalosis. C. pH 7.26, HCO3 14, PaCO2 30: This indicates metabolic acidosis. The low pH and low bicarbonate are classic findings in AKI, and the low PaCO2 reflects respiratory compensation (hyperventilation) for the acidosis. D. pH 7.49, HCO3 24, PaCO2 30: The pH and PaCO2 suggest respiratory alkalosis, which may result from hyperventilation but is not characteristic of AKI. Bicarbonate is normal, making metabolic acidosis unlikely in this case.