An 80 year old woman fell on the ice and fractured her femur. After several hours, when she arrived at the ED, she was anxious, panting, and complaining of severe chest pain and not being able to breathe. Her pulse was rapid (tachcycardia) as was her respiration rate (tachypnea). Blood gases were drawn and yielded the following results: pH = 7.31 pCO2 = 27 mm Hg pO2 = 62 mm Hg HCO3- = 12 mmol/L SO2 = 78% (calculated) (ref range, >95%) 1. What is the patients acid-base status? 2. Why is the HCO3- level so low? 3. What caused the acid-base imbalance?

Chemistry
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ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
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An 80 year old woman fell on the ice and fractured her femur. After several hours, when she arrived at the ED, she was anxious, panting, and complaining of severe chest pain and not being able to breathe. Her pulse was rapid (tachcycardia) as was her respiration rate (tachypnea). Blood gases were drawn and yielded the following results:

pH = 7.31
pCO2 = 27 mm Hg
pO2 = 62 mm Hg
HCO3- = 12 mmol/L
SO2 = 78% (calculated) (ref range, >95%)

1. What is the patients acid-base status?

2. Why is the HCO3- level so low?

3. What caused the acid-base imbalance?

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