A patient has a pH of 7.56 and a PCO2 of 25 mm Hg. What is the most likely cause of these results?

A patient has a pH of 7.56 and a PCO2 of 25 mm Hg. What is the most likely cause of these results?

• A. Improper specimen collection
• B. Prolonged storage
• C. Hyperventilation
• D. Hypokalemia

Answer: (C)

The pH of 7.56 indicates that the patient is in a state of alkalosis, since the normal range for blood pH is typically around 7.35 to 7.45. The PCO2 value of 25 mm Hg is significantly lower than the normal range, which is usually between 35 to 45 mm Hg. A low PCO2 in conjunction with elevated pH suggests that the patient is likely hyperventilating, leading to rapid exhalation of carbon dioxide. This loss of CO2 decreases its concentration in the blood, which subsequently raises the blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation can be caused by various factors, including anxiety, pain, or certain medical conditions, all of which lead to increased respiratory rates. Understanding these biochemical indicators helps clarify why hyperventilation is the most plausible explanation for the abnormal values observed in this patient's results.

The pH of 7.56 indicates that the patient is in a state of alkalosis, since the normal range for blood pH is typically around 7.35 to 7.45. The PCO2 value of 25 mm Hg is significantly lower than the normal range, which is usually between 35 to 45 mm Hg.

A low PCO2 in conjunction with elevated pH suggests that the patient is likely hyperventilating, leading to rapid exhalation of carbon dioxide. This loss of CO2 decreases its concentration in the blood, which subsequently raises the blood pH, resulting in respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation can be caused by various factors, including anxiety, pain, or certain medical conditions, all of which lead to increased respiratory rates.

Understanding these biochemical indicators helps clarify why hyperventilation is the most plausible explanation for the abnormal values observed in this patient's results.