The 42-year-old male patient presents with the following arterial blood gas results: pH = 7.29, PCO2 = 40 mmHg, HCO3- = 15 mmol/L. Additional laboratory results are significant for a sodium of 154 mEq/L, chloride of 120 mmol/L, a glucose of 245 mg/dL, albumin of 4 g/dL. Which of the following is the most accurate interpretation of these results?

Anion gap metabolic acidosis. The patient’s pH is acidotic (pH less than 7.35); the normal PCO2 and low HCO3- level indicate that the acidosis is metabolic in nature. To determine if the metabolic acidosis is anion gap or non-anion gap, the nurse uses the formula: Na – (Cl + HCO3). The patient’s anion gap is 154 – (120 + 15) = 19, which is greater than the 7-13 mEq/L reference range. Therefore, this patient’s results represent an anion gap metabolic acidosis.

The 42-year-old male patient presents with the following arterial...

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Reduction of Risk Potential
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Category: Reduction of Risk Potential
Difficulty: 9

Topics: Acid-Base

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