Access Medicine's Case of the Week: Acid Base Disturbance Case #7

Access Medicine's Case of the Week: Acid Base Disturbance Case #7
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Case

A 31-year-old female with refractory severe persistent asthma presents to the emergency department with a severe asthma exacerbation. She is very anxious, and wheezing is audible from the hallway. The patient is tachypneic, and a chest x-ray shows no infiltrate, no pneumothorax, and no other pathology.

 Laboratory Data:

ABG

Basic Metabolic Panel

pH

7.35

Na

140 mEq/L

PaCO2

25 mm Hg

K

4.0 mEq/L

PaO2

101 mm Hg

Cl

105 mEq/L

HCO3

20 mEq/L

CO2

20 mEq/L

BUN

13 mg/dL

Cr

1.0 mg/dL

 

Question 1 of 5

What is/are the primary acid-base disturbance(s) occurring in this case?

A - Metabolic acidosis only

B - Respiratory alkalosis only

C - Metabolic acidosis and a respiratory acidosis

D - Metabolic alkalosis and a respiratory acidosis

 


Click HERE to view the full progressive case and answer all 5 questions!

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