A child is in uncompensated respiratory acidosis.What should the nurse expect the arterial blood gas to be? A) O₂, 95; CO₂, 45; pH, 7.40 B) O₂, 88; CO₂, 55; pH, 7.30 C) O₂, 88; CO₂ 35; pH, 7.28 D) O₂, 92; CO₂, 54; pH, 7.35

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Respiratory acidosis results from diminished or inadequate pulmonary ventilation that causes an elevation in plasma Pco₂and thus an increased concentration of dissolved carbonic acid,which leads to elevated carbonic acid and hydrogen ion concentration.This tends to lower the pH.CO₂of 55 is elevated (normal CO₂ is 35-45),and a pH of 7.30 is low (normal pH is 7.35-7.45).

A Child Is in Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis