Example 2: A 15-year old female high school student who is on the cheer leading

Question

Example 2: A 15-year old female high school student who is on the cheer leading squad was discovered by her mother to have a headache (HA) and lethargic (lack of energy) when her mother return home from work. Her mother rushed her to the hospital where she was admitted. Labs were ordered on admission and shown below: pH-7.48 alkaloys PaCO2- 40 mmHg HCO3, 32 mEq/L Based on this information, what was his acid/base disturbance? Example 3 A 30-year old patient with a history of anxiety attack present to the Emergency Department (ED). A STAT ABG was order with the following result pH-7.50 PaCO2 30 mmHg HCO3-24 mEq/L Based on this information, what was his acid/base disturbance?

Explanation / Answer

Example 2: Metabolic Alkalosis

The condition is evident from the high pH 7.48 (normal 7.35-7.45), arterial PaCO2 is normal 40mmHg (Normal 35-45 mmHg) and arterial bicarbonate is high 32 mEq/L (Normal 22-29 mEq/L). Alkalosis is evident from the high pH, if it is a respiratory alkalosis the PaCO2 should be less than 40 mmHg, rise in bicarbonate level clearly indicate that the condition is Metabolic alkalosis

Metabolic arises due to vomiting, loss of Potassium, excess alkali consumption in the form of antacids. In the given case, as the patient is on a cheer leading squad she should have suffered from dehydration and led to the given condition.

Example 3: Respiratory alkalosis

The condition is evident from the high pH 7.50 (normal 7.35-7.45), arterial PaCO2 is low 30mmHg (Normal 35-45 mmHg) and arterial bicarbonate is normal 24 mEq/L (Normal 22-29 mEq/L). Alkalosis is evident from the high pH, since the bicarbonate level is normal, the condition is ascertained from the PaCO2 levels where it is lower than 40mmHg which suggests that it is Respiratory Alkalosis

In the given case, as the patient has anxiety history, anxiety based hyperventilation resulted in rise of pH due to fall of PaCO2. Kidneys no longer able to adapt rapidly, no change in bicarbonate levels also testifies the given condition.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse E
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.