Mrs. Breathless is a 45-year-old female nurse with a history of asthma. She reports to the ED in the early morning with shortness of breath, blurred vision, headache, and restlessness. After several laboratory tests, the following ABG (arterial blood gases) lab results are confirmed:
Blood pH=7.30
PaCO2 = 46 mm Hg
HCO3 = 24 mEq/L.
Based on the results of her ABG, which acid-base imbalance is Mrs. Breathless likely experiencing
Justify your answer by referencing the ROME mnemonic.
What is the underlying pathophysiology of this disorder
What type of compensation is likely to take place
Why do you think Mrs Breathless developed this imbalance
What are some of the contributing factors leading to this
RO-ME:
Respiratory Opposite: When pH is up, PaCO2 is down = Alkalosis, When pH is down, PaCO2 is up = Acidosis
Metabolic Equal: When pH is up, HCO3 is up = Alkalosis, When pH is down.