Upon obtaining the oxygen saturation level, the nurse notes that the reading is below 80. The HCP is contacted immediately and requests the nurse perform a stat arterial blood gas. The results are returned to the nurse and the reading is pH 7.24, PaCO2 60mmHg, HCO3 27 mEq/L (27 mmol/L), and PaO2 52 mmHg. Question 23 of 30 How would this reading be interpreted by the nurse? Mild hypoxemia. O Metabolic acidosis. O Severe hypoxemia. O Respiratory acidosis. Submit Previous Section Next Section Q Search