A 63-year-old male is admitted to ED complaining of shortness of breath.
A 63-year-old male is admitted to ED complaining of shortness of breath. He complains of ongoing shortness of breath despite current oxygen therapy.
Blood gas on 3L oxygen via nasal cannula is as follows:
| Investigation | Results | Normal value |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 7.32 | 7.35-7.45 |
| pCO2 | 8.4 kPa | 4.7-6.0 kPa |
| pO2 | 9.2 kPa | >10.5 kPa |
| HCO3- | 32 mmol/l | 22-29 mmol/l |
What does the blood gas show?
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