Which statement best describes normal acid-base status on ABG analysis?

• A. The patient has normal acid-base balance.
• B. The patient has respiratory acidosis.
• C. The patient has metabolic acidosis.
• D. The patient has metabolic alkalosis.

Answer: (A)

Normal acid-base status on ABG means there is no primary acid-base disturbance and no compensatory response needed. The pH is within the normal range (about 7.35 to 7.45), and both the respiratory and metabolic components are within their normal reference ranges—PaCO2 roughly 35 to 45 mmHg and HCO3- around 22 to 26 mEq/L. When all three values fall in their normal limits, there’s no imbalance driving the pH, so the patient is considered to have a normal acid-base balance. If any value were outside the normal range but the pH remained normal, that would indicate compensation rather than a truly normal state.