Lab case 362

77 year old lady referred by GP for shortness of breath on exertion. Her venous blood gases showed the following:

PH = 7.299

pCO2 = 80 mmHg

pO2 =28 mmHg

HCO3 = 38.5 mmol/L

Hb = 137 g/L

Na = 143 mmol/L

K = 3.9 mmol/L

Cl = 97 mmol/L

Glucose = 5.6 mmol/L

Creatinine = 53 umol/L

 Questions:

  1. Interpret these results
  2. What are the clinical features of respiratory acidosis
  3. How will you manage this patient