Pulmonary Vignette

MBBS
1

A 54-year-old man with a history of COPD presents with worsening shortness of breath, wheezing, and productive cough. On examination, he is using accessory muscles and has decreased breath sounds. ABG shows:

pH: 7.30
pCO₂: 58 mmHg
pO₂: 62 mmHg
HCO₃⁻: 28 mEq/L

Which of the following best describes his acid-base status?

A) Acute respiratory acidosis
B) Chronic respiratory acidosis
C) Compensated metabolic acidosis
D) Mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis

2

I think it is B) Chronic respiratory acidosis due to HCO3- elevated levels and the patient has history of COPD which a chronic condition as well