Question

1.     How would you interpret Patient B’s arterial blood gases?

	Patient A	Patient B	Patient C
Na+	138 mEq/L	142 mEq/L	148 mEq/L
K+	5.1 mEq/L	6.1 mEq/L	3.8 mEq/L
Ca+	8.9 mg/dL	7.5 mg/dL	9.5 mg/dL
Mg+	1.3 mg/dL	0.9 mg/dL	2.1 mg/dL
pH	7.40	7.32	7.42
PCO2	42 mm Hg	48 mm Hg	40 mm Hg
PO2	95%	98%	99%
HCO3	22	28	26

Answer 1

Normal values of important findings:

Patient B is suffering from respiratory acidosis. Follow the explanation beow:

• PH     =       7.35 – 7.45 (Patient value is 7.32)
• PCO2 =       35 – 45    mmhg (Patient value is 48)
• PO2   =        80 – 100 mmhg (patient value is 98)

• HCO3 =        22 – 28    meq/L   (patient value is 28)