Acid-base balance of the blood
Mr. Un. Metabalki was brought to the ER. His arterial bloodresults contained the following: pH = 7.54, pCO2=40 mmHg, HCO3 -=34 mEq/L.
Mrs. I. Donno entered ER comatose and with shallow infrequentbreaths. Her friend said she might have taken an overdose of anarcotic drug. Her arterial blood values were: pH = 7.18, pCO2=80mmHg, HCO3 - =31 mEq/L.
It has been a busy day, but your shift is nearly over. It lookslike your last patient will be Norman O’Normally. His arterialblood results are: pH = 7.38, pCO2=33 mmHg, HCO3 - =19 mEq/L.
Oops! One more patient’s lab results were found at the bottom ofthe pile. Before you go home, interpret her arterial blood data: pH= 7.43, pCO2=32 mmHg, HCO3 - =20 mEq/L
