Situation: Marisol, a 58-year-old woman, is admitted to the medical unit following elective knee replacement surgery. Background: She has a history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Assessment: On post-op day 2, arterial blood gas results return: pH 7.28, PaCO2 38 mmHg, HCO3 16 mEq/L, PaO2 94 mmHg, SpO2 97%. She reports nausea, has had two episodes of vomiting, and her blood glucose is 310 mg/dL. Recommendation: The oncoming nurse is reviewing the ABG results alongside current labs. Which interpretation of Marisol's ABG results is correct?
- Respiratory alkalosis, uncompensated
- Metabolic acidosis, uncompensated
- Metabolic alkalosis, partially compensated
- Respiratory acidosis, uncompensated