A 77-Year-Old Female Diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A 77-year-old female diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is ^{experiencing impaired gas exchange and CO}2 ^{retention, despite a rapid respiratory rate.} Which of the following pathophysiological principles would her health care team expect if her compensatory mechanisms are working?

A) Arterial blood gas sampling indicates a pH in the range of 7.45 to 7.55.
B) Her kidneys are likely to reabsorb H⁺ and secrete HCO ^-
C) ^{Her body will produce excess metabolic CO}2^.
D) Her kidneys will adapt with an increase in plasma HCO ^- and her pH will

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