Arterial Blood Gas Analysis · Pathology

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is likely to have:

  1. Isolated acute respiratory alkalosis
  2. Compensated chronic respiratory acidosis
  3. Metabolic alkalosis without compensation
  4. Persistently normal PaCO2
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Compensated chronic respiratory acidosis

COPD causes chronic CO2 retention, leading to respiratory acidosis. Over time, the kidneys retain bicarbonate to partially compensate.

Difficulty: Medium Question 10 of 20

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