A client who has been on a high-protein diet comes to the emergency department with respiratory symptoms. Upon analysis of arterial blood gases (ABGs), the client is diagnosed with hypercapnia. Which ABG results confirm this diagnosis?

PCO2 of 51 mm Hg

Explanation:

ABG is a test that is use to measure or determine the level of carbon dioxide and some other gases from an artery.

Hypercapnia is a condition which is considered abnormal because it involves abnormal increase in carbon dioxide level in the blood. This poise a problem, because normally, carbon dioxide , which is a gaseous product of metabolism, needed to be expelled through breathing sothat the oxygen will be able to reach the lung.

Hypercapnia affects a number of body functions, including acid-base balance and renal, neurological, and CV functions. Elevated levels of PCO2 (38 to 42) produce a decrease in pH (7.35 to 7.45) and respiratory acidosis. Compensatory mechanisms result in an increase in serum HCO3 (22 to 28). In this example, the PO2 level is within normal range. Serum K+ is not part of the ABG analysis.

In summary, the ABG results given as answer confirm the diagnosis.