Aerial blood gas analysis of a patient admitted to the medical emergency is as follows: pH=7.2, HCO3=38 mmol/L, Pco2 = 56 mm Hg. This indicates

Acid-Base DisorderspH < 7.35 is acidosis; pH >7.45 is alkalosis1deg change in HCO3" is termed as Metabolic (Normal HCO3" = 22-30 meq/l)If change in HC03 is in keeping with the pH (i.e. if there is acidosis and HC03" is decreased) the problem is metabolic one.If change in HC03" is opposite with the pH (i.e. if there is acidosis and HC03~ is increased or normal) the problem is compensatory metabolic.1deg change in C02 is termed as Respiratory (Normal C02 = 35-45 meq/1)If change in C02 is in keeping with the pH (i.e. if there is acidosis and C02 is increased) the problem is respiratory.If change in C02 is in opposition with the pH (i.e. if there is acidosis and C02 is decreased or normal) the problem is termed as compensatory respiratory.(Refer: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th edition, pg no: 363-372)