<prompt> PH. 7.2 PO2 mm Hg 50 mm Hg, HCO3 13, the values goes in favour of -Respiratory acidosisMetabolic alkalosisRespiratory alkalosisBoth respiratory and metabolic acidosis  <response>: In this patientPH Decreased N 7.4PCO2 Increased N-40 mm HgHCO3- Decreased N-24 mmolLFirst stepDetermine whether alkalosis or acidosis is presentDecreased pH indicates acidosisSecond stepInspect the HCO3- CO2 to determine the cause of acidosisHere both the abnormalities are in sync with a decrease in pHIncrease in CO2 Produces acidosis respiratoryThe decrease in HCO3- Produces acidosis metabolicThere is no compensatory responseIt can be easily concluded, that it is a case of mixed respiratory acidosis together with metabolic acidosisThe other very simple way to detect these mixed disorders is to observe the HCO3-CO2 ratio.HCO3-CO2 ratio moves in the opposite directionThere is no need to proceed to the third step. 