A Patient with a 10-Year History of Chronic Bronchitis and an Acute

Multiple Choice

A patient with a 10-year history of chronic bronchitis and an acute viral pneumonia exhibits the following blood gas results breathing room air: pH = 7.22; PCO₂ = 67; HCO₃^- = 26; PO₂ = 60. Which of the following best describes this patient's condition?

A) Chronic hypoxemic respiratory failure
B) Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure
C) Chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure
D) Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure