A nurse reviews the arterial blood gas (ABG) values of a client admitted with end-stage kidney disease; pH 7.26; PaCO2 37 mm Hg; PaO2 94 mm Hg and HCO3 15 mEq/L. What do these values indicate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: End-stage kidney disease hampers acid excretion pH 7.26 (below 7.35) and HCO3 15 mEq/L (below 22) confirm metabolic acidosis, as kidneys fail to buffer, dropping bicarbonate. PaCO2 37 mm Hg (normal) rules out respiratory issues lungs aren't compensating yet. PaO2 94 mm Hg shows oxygenation's fine. Alkalosis options contradict low pH; respiratory acidosis needs high CO2. Nurses recognize this acid-base shift, anticipating bicarbonate or dialysis, a key intervention in renal failure's metabolic chaos.