A 19-year-old female is evaluated in the emergency department for severe generalized weakness and muscle cramps. Her roommate reports that the patient is heavily preoccupied with her body image and frequently goes to the bathroom immediately after meals. Vital signs show a blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg and a heart rate of 98/min. Physical examination reveals bilateral parotid gland enlargement, dry mucous membranes, and calluses on the dorsum of her right hand. Which of the following sets of laboratory abnormalities is most likely to be found in this patient?
- Hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and metabolic alkalosisCevap
- BHypokalemia, hyperchloremia, and metabolic acidosis
- CHyperkalemia, hypochloremia, and metabolic alkalosis
- DHyperkalemia, hyperchloremia, and metabolic acidosis
- ENormal potassium, normal chloride, and respiratory alkalosis
Cevap
Hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and metabolic alkalosis
The correct answer accurately reflects the pathophysiology of repeated self-induced vomiting. The patient's clinical presentation, including Russell sign (calluses on the knuckles) and parotid gland enlargement, strongly indicates purging via vomiting. Emesis results in the loss of gastric hydrochloric acid (HCl), causing hypochloremia and primary metabolic alkalosis. Additionally, the resulting volume depletion stimulates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which increases urinary potassium excretion in order to reabsorb sodium, leading to significant hypokalemia.
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Anahtar Kavram
Patients with eating disorders who engage in self-induced vomiting characteristically develop a hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis.