NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

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Which condition is indicated by low pH and high CO2 levels?

Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis

The correct answer is: Respiratory acidosis

Low pH and high CO2 levels are indicative of respiratory acidosis. This condition occurs when the body has too much carbon dioxide due to impaired lung function or inefficient breathing. This leads to an increase in acidity in the blood, causing low pH levels. The other options are incorrect because they either involve different imbalances in the acid-base system or are caused by different factors. Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis are caused by changes in the body's metabolic processes, while respiratory alkalosis is characterized by low CO2 levels in the blood. Therefore, low pH and high CO2 levels would not be indicative of these conditions.