A 31-Year-Old Man Suffering from Food Poisoning Is Having Severe

Multiple Choice

A 31-year-old man suffering from food poisoning is having severe vomiting for the last 2 days. His blood gas and serum electrolyte analyses revealed the following: pH of 7.60, PaCO₂ of 49 mm Hg, an HCO₃^- of 47 mEq/L, a base excess (BE) of +20 mEq/L, a serum K⁺ of 2.5 mEq/L, and a serum of Cl^- of 92 mEq/L. How would the respiratory therapist assess his acid-base condition?
1) Severe hyperventilation
2) Metabolic alkalosis
3) Adequate compensatory response
4) Minimal hypoventilation

A) 1, 2, and 3 only
B) 2 and 4 only
C) 3 only
D) 2, 3, and 4 only