A 62-year-old woman comes to the clinic for a follow-up visit. Two months ago, she was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension. She now complains of generalized weakness and occasional muscle cramps. Her blood pressure is 118/76 mm Hg, and her pulse is 78/min. Physical examination shows dry mucous membranes and no peripheral edema. Laboratory studies show:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 138 mEq/L |
| Potassium | 2.9 mEq/L |
| Chloride | 92 mEq/L |
| Bicarbonate | 34 mEq/L |
| Arterial pH | 7.52 |
| 48 mm Hg |
Which of the following best describes this patient's acid-base status?
- Primary metabolic alkalosis with appropriate respiratory compensationCevap
- BPrimary respiratory acidosis with appropriate metabolic compensation
- CPrimary metabolic alkalosis with a superimposed respiratory acidosis
- DPrimary respiratory alkalosis with appropriate metabolic compensation
- EPrimary metabolic acidosis with a superimposed respiratory alkalosis
Cevap
Primary metabolic alkalosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
This patient has a pH of 7.52, indicating alkalemia. The elevated serum bicarbonate () identifies the primary disorder as metabolic alkalosis, likely secondary to hydrochlorothiazide use, which causes volume contraction and hypokalemia. The expected respiratory compensation is calculated using the formula: Expected . Here, . Since the patient's measured of falls squarely within this expected range, she has a simple primary metabolic alkalosis with appropriate respiratory compensation.
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Anahtar Kavram
Thiazide diuretics can cause volume contraction and hypokalemia, leading to a primary metabolic alkalosis. The expected respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis is an increase in pCO2 by roughly 0.7 mm Hg for every 1 mEq/L rise in bicarbonate.