Respiratory alkalosis.

The pH is alkalotic and the pCO2 is below 40, indicating that the lung is producing the alkalosis by removing acid (CO2) from the body. Interestingly, the bicarbonate concentration of 27 meq/l is slightly higher than the normal of 24. This indicates that there is no renal response to the respiratory alkalosis (the kidney would be expected to decrease bicarbonate in compensation for respiratory alkalosis). Perhaps the current alkalosis is partly triggered by stress or nervousness in the patient and her usual resting pH is nearer normal. Also note that the patient's pO2 is adequate, indicating that the lungs can keep up with the body's oxygen demand, but it is probably lower than it should be for the patient's level of respiration.

Hematocrit               32.1 %
WBC                    9800   /ul
Serum bicarbonate        27   meq/l
Arterial Blood gases: 
              ___________Room Air_____________
              At rest          During exercise       Rest/oxygen
pO2             91                   67                  541
pCO2            32                   37                   29
pH            7.46                 7.41                 7.49