A 19-year-old college student is evaluated in the emergency department for confusion, nausea, and bilateral ringing in her ears. Her roommate reports that the patient ingested a large, unknown quantity of over-the-counter pain-relieving pills earlier in the day following a stressful exam. Temperature is 37.8°C (100.0°F), blood pressure is 112/68 mm Hg, pulse is 115/min, and respirations are 28/min. Physical examination shows a diaphoretic young woman with deep, rapid breathing.
Laboratory studies show:
Serum sodium: 140 mEq/L
Serum chloride: 104 mEq/L
Serum bicarbonate: 14 mEq/L
Blood urea nitrogen: 18 mg/dL
Serum creatinine: 0.9 mg/dL
Arterial blood gas (room air):
pH: 7.45
pCO2: 21 mm Hg
pO2: 98 mm Hg
Which of the following best describes this patient's acid-base status?
- Mixed high anion gap metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosisCevap
- BPrimary metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
- CPrimary respiratory alkalosis with appropriate metabolic compensation
- DMixed normal anion gap metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis
- EMixed high anion gap metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis