Which of the following would differentiate acute from chronic respiratory acidosis in the assessment of the trauma client?
Which of the following would differentiate acute from chronic respiratory acidosis in the assessment of the trauma client?
Elevation of HCO3 (bicarbonate) is a compensatory mechanism for respiratory acidosis that the kidneys perform in response to prolonged elevated CO2 levels. While increased PaCO2 can be seen in both acute and chronic respiratory acidosis, elevated HCO3 indicates the body has had time to partially compensate for the acidosis, thus differentiating chronic from acute respiratory acidosis.
Answer C