The nurse is reviewing the patient's arterial blood gases The results are as follows: pH 7.33 pCO2 56 mmHg HCO3 32 mEq/L PO2 80 mmHg Saturation 90% The nurse recognizes that the patient's acid/base problem is
respiratory acidosis with mild compensation.
The pH is below the normal range of 7.35-7.45, indicating acidosis. The pCO2 is elevated, indicating respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is also elevated, indicating some compensation by the kidneys. The PO2 is within normal range, indicating adequate oxygenation. The saturation is slightly decreased, likely due to the acidosis. The nurse should continue to monitor the patient's condition and provide appropriate treatment as needed.