The respiratory therapist is assessing a 88 year old patient…
The respiratory therapist is assessing a 88 year old patient with end-stage COPD who was admitted to the medical ward for an exacerbation of COPD due to increasing sputum purulence. The therapist notes the following ABG results in the patient’s electronic medical record: pH 7.47, PaCO2 52; PaO2 46; HCO3 40. Which of the following is the best interpretation of these ABG results?