A patient with respiratory acidosis would be expected to have which of the following arterial blood gas (ABG) findings?

A Low pH, low PCO2, low bicarbonate
B Low pH, high PCO2, low bicarbonate ✓
C High pH, low PCO2, high bicarbonate
D High pH, high PCO2, high bicarbonate

Explanation

Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a decrease in ventilation, leading to an increase in CO2 levels (high PCO2) and a subsequent decrease in pH. The kidneys compensate by increasing bicarbonate reabsorption, but this is not sufficient to fully correct the acidosis.

Source

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine
Electrolytes and Acid-Base Balance Acid-Base Physiology Respiratory Acidosis Hard MEDICAL Confidence: high