Question

Mrs. G., who has congestive heart failure (CHF), has been having diarrhea for three days. You have noticed some LOC changes and she is breathing shallowly
The doctor orders ABG’s pH7.29 PCO2 50 mmHg HCO3-26 mEq/L
What is the acid base disturbance

Answer 1

Based on the ABG results, Mrs. G. is experiencing respiratory acidosis. This is indicated by the low pH (7.29) and high PCO2 (50 mmHg). The HCO3- level (26 mEq/L) is within the normal range, indicating that there is no compensatory metabolic disturbance present. The shallow breathing observed in Mrs. G. is likely contributing to the elevated PCO2 levels, leading to the respiratory acidosis.