The nurse reviews the arterial blood gas results of an assigned client and notes the laboratory report results pH of 7.30, [normal pH is 7.35 to 7.45] Paco2 of 58 mm Hg, [Normal Paco2 is 35 to 45 mm Hg] Pao2 of 80 mm Hg. [normal is 80-100] HCO3 of 27 mEq/L (27 mmol/L). [Normal HCO3 is 22-26] The nurse interprets that the client has which acid-base disturbance?

A. Respiratory acidosis: The pH is low (indicating acidosis), and the Paco₂ is elevated, which signifies that carbon dioxide retention is causing the acidosis. This pattern indicates respiratory acidosis, as the elevated HCO₃ suggests a compensatory response. B. Respiratory alkalosis: Respiratory alkalosis would show a high pH with a low Paco₂. This is not consistent with the client’s lab results. C. Metabolic acidosis: Metabolic acidosis would show a low pH with a low HCO₃. In this case, the HCO₃ is slightly elevated, ruling out metabolic acidosis. D. Metabolic alkalosis: Metabolic alkalosis would show a high pH with an elevated HCO₃, which does not match the client’s results.