ATI Nurs 520 Pharmacology proctored Exam
Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.39, PaCO2 47, HCO3- 29
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A reason: Metabolic acidosis involves low pH and HCO3-; here, pH is normal, and HCO3- is high. Elevated PaCO2 compensates for high HCO3-, so this is incorrect for the ABG values. Choice B reason: Normal pH (7.39), high HCO3- (29), and high PaCO2 (47) indicate metabolic alkalosis fully compensated by respiratory retention of CO2. This matches the values, making it correct. Choice C reason: Respiratory alkalosis has low PaCO2 and normal or low HCO3-. Here, PaCO2 and HCO3- are high, ruling this out, so it’s incorrect for the given ABG profile. Choice D reason: Respiratory acidosis has high PaCO2 and low pH. Normal pH and high HCO3- suggest metabolic alkalosis, not respiratory acidosis, making this incorrect for the values.
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