Case of the Week: Acid Base Disturbance #6
Case
A 23-year-old noncompliant diabetic presents to the emergency room with lethargy, abdominal pain, nausea, and malaise. The patient has a history of DKA. His blood glucose on arrival is 340 mg/dL. His urinalysis is positive for ketones.
| Laboratory Data: |
||||
| ABG |
Basic Metabolic Panel |
|||
| pH |
6.82 |
Na |
129 mEq/L |
|
| PaCO2 |
16 mm Hg |
K |
6.2 mEq/L |
|
| PaO2 |
93 mm Hg |
Cl |
90 mEq/L |
|
| HCO3 |
< 5 mEq/L |
CO2 |
5 mEq/L |
|
| BUN |
44 mg/dL |
|||
| Cr |
1.6 mg/dL |
|||
| Albumin |
4.0 g/dL |
|||
Question 1 of 5:
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 all 5 questions!
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