A 50-year-old man came to the emergency department after returning from foreign travel. His symptoms included persistent diarrhea (over the past 3 days) and rapid respiration (tachypnea). Blood gases were drawn: pH: 7.21 , PC02 :19 mm Hg (normal range 35-45), P02 : 96mm Hg (normal range 80-110), HCO3-: 7 mmollL ( normal range 22-36)1. a. What is the patient's acid-base status? b. Why is the HCO3-level so low? c. Why does the patient have rapid respiration?