A patient’s ABG results show that she has a pH of 7.56 and a PaCO2 of 48 torr. Based on the results given, how would you interpret the patient’s status?

For this ABG interpretation question, they only give you two of the ABG values, so you have to use some critical thinking in order to figure this one out.

The pH is high, which indicates alkalosis. So with that, we can already rule out the answer choices containing acidosis.

Next, we can see that the PaCO2 is elevated. When there is a high pH, we know that the only two possible causes could be either respiratory alkalosis or metabolic alkalosis. And in this case, the pH is increased which means that it can’t be respiratory alkalosis.

So by using our illustrious ABG interpretation skills, as well as the process of elimination, we know that the correct answer has to be D.

The correct answer is: D. Metabolic alkalosis