Case of the Week: Acid-Base Disturbance #3
A 24-year-old woman with chronic migraines presents to the emergency department with altered mental status and what her husband describes as "her breathing looks uncomfortable." She has been having more issues with headaches in the last few weeks, but otherwise the husband notes no other problems. She takes no prescribed medications.
| Laboratory Data: |
||||
| ABG |
Basic Metabolic Panel |
|||
| pH |
7.29 |
Na |
144 mEq/L |
|
| PaCO2 |
15 mm Hg |
K |
3.8 mEq/L |
|
| PaO2 |
100 mm Hg |
Cl |
108 mEq/L |
|
| HCO3 |
17 mEq/L |
CO2 |
17 mEq/L |
|
| BUN |
12 mg/dL |
|||
| Cr |
1.2 mg/dL |
|||
| Albumin |
4.0 g/dL |
|||
What is/are the primary acid-base disturbance(s) occurring in this case?
A - Metabolic acidosis only
B - Respiratory acidosis only
C - Metabolic acidosis and a respiratory acidosis
D - Metabolic alkalosis and a respiratory alkalosis
Click here to view the full progressive case and answer the questions: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/CaseContent.aspx?gbosID=396033&gbosContainerID=181&viewByNumber=false#178509529
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