Question

A client has these arterial blood gas values: anion gap 20 mEq/L (20 mmol/L), pH 7.29, PCO2 37 mm Hg (4.92 mmol/L), HCO3- 11 mEq/L (11 mmol/L), base excess -6 mEq/L (-6 mmol/L). With what condition do these values correspond?

Answer 1

Answer:

Since, the client has a low blood pH of 7.29 ( pH less than 7.35) and low bicarbonate 11 mEq/L (less than 22 mEq/L). Therefore, the client is suffering from acidemia due to Metabolic acidosis.

Explanation:

Metabolic acidosis refers to a condition in which the body produces high amounts of acid or the inability of the kidney to remove the excess acid from the body, due to low amount of bicarbonate in the kidney (less than 22 mEq/L). Metabolic acidosis can cause low blood pH ( pH less than 7.35), this condition is known as acidemia.

Therefore, an increase in the generation of acid in the body or low amount of bicarbonate in kidney, can reduce the pH of the blood.

Since, the client has a low blood pH of 7.29 ( pH less than 7.35) and low bicarbonate 11 mEq/L (less than 22 mEq/L).

Therefore, the client is suffering from acidemia due to metabolic acidosis.