Analysis of an Arterial Blood Sample Taken from a Healthy

Multiple Choice

Analysis of an arterial blood sample taken from a healthy athlete reveals a pH of 7.36, a PCO₂ of 45 mm Hg, and a PO₂ of 43 mm Hg. Which of the following analytic errors should you suspect?

A) Excessive time since sample collection
B) Exposure of the blood sample to air
C) Excessive heparin in the sample
D) Sample admixture with venous blood