The Nurse Is Assigned to a Client with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

The nurse is assigned to a client with insulin-dependent diabetes who was brought to the emergency department because of shortness of breath and confusion. On admission, the client's blood glucose level is 720 mg/ml, and ABG values are pH of 7.28, PaCO₂ of 35 mm Hg, and bicarbonate level of 15 mEq/L. The nurse interprets these readings as indicating

A) compensated metabolic acidosis.
B) compensated respiratory acidosis.
C) uncompensated metabolic acidosis.
D) uncompensated respiratory acidosis.