A 6ft, 6-inch tall 38-year-old man is being mechanically ventilated at a tidal volume of 500 mL and a respiratory rate of 16 bpm. His most recent ABG results are: pH = 7.33, PaO₂ = 85 mm Hg, PaCO₂ = 55 mm Hg. What is the nurse's interpretation of these results? A. Ventilation is adequate to maintain oxygenation. B. Ventilation is excessive; respiratory alkalosis is present. C. Ventilation is inadequate; respiratory acidosis is present. D. Ventilation status cannot be determined from the information presented.

Based on the given arterial blood gas (ABG) results, the condition of the patient corresponds to respiratory acidosis, representing inadequate ventilation causing CO₂ retention.

Explanation:

The given arterial blood gas (ABG) results indicate that the patient's pH is 7.33, which is below the normal range of 7.35-7.45, suggesting an acidic condition in the blood, known as acidosis. Furthermore, the PaCO₂ (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood) is 55 mm Hg, which is higher than the reference range for males (35–48 mm Hg), indicating excessive carbon dioxide concentration. Considering this information, the condition outlined corresponds to Respiratory Acidosis, which is typically characterized by low pH and high PaCO₂ levels due to inadequate ventilation and subsequent retention of CO₂. Thus, the nurse's interpretation of these results would be that ventilation is inadequate, and respiratory acidosis is present. This interpretation aligns with choice 'C.'

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