Select an ABG result that indicates acidosis.

To determine whether a blood gas (ABG) result indicates acidosis, one must first understand the normal range for pH in arterial blood, which is approximately 7.35 to 7.45. When the pH falls below this range, it indicates acidosis.

In this case, a pH of 7.16 is significantly lower than the normal threshold of 7.35, clearly indicating an acidic state in the blood. This state of acidemia can arise from various conditions, such as respiratory or metabolic causes, affecting the body’s acid-base balance.

The other values present a different context. A pH of 7.41 is within the normal range, suggesting that the patient's acid-base balance is stable. A pH of 7.58 indicates alkalosis, which is an excess of base or a deficit of acid in the blood. Lastly, while a pH of 7.35 is considered on the lower end of normal, it does not meet the criteria to be classified as acidosis. Therefore, the pH of 7.16 unequivocally meets the criteria for indicating acidosis.