A 24-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of severe right-sided flank pain, nausea, chills, and fever. She has no significant past medical history and takes no medications. On presentation, her temperature is 39.4°C (102.9°F), blood pressure is 98/55 mm Hg, pulse is 128/min, and respirations are 32/min. Physical examination reveals exquisite right costovertebral angle tenderness and a flushed appearance.
Laboratory results are as follows:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 138 mEq/L |
| Potassium | 4.2 mEq/L |
| Chloride | 102 mEq/L |
| Bicarbonate | 14 mEq/L |
| Blood urea nitrogen | 22 mg/dL |
| Serum creatinine | 1.3 mg/dL |
| Serum lactate | 4.2 mmol/L |
Arterial blood gas analysis on room air reveals:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.32 |
| 22 mm Hg | |
| 96 mm Hg |
Which of the following best describes this patient's acid-base status?
- High anion gap metabolic acidosis and concomitant respiratory alkalosisCevap
- BHigh anion gap metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
- CNormal anion gap metabolic acidosis and concomitant respiratory alkalosis
- DHigh anion gap metabolic acidosis and concomitant respiratory acidosis
- EPrimary respiratory alkalosis with appropriate metabolic compensation
Cevap
The patient has a mixed acid-base disorder consisting of a high anion gap metabolic acidosis and a concomitant respiratory alkalosis.
The correct characterization is a high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA) with a concomitant respiratory alkalosis. The patient is acidemic (pH < 7.40) with a low bicarbonate, indicating primary metabolic acidosis. The anion gap is elevated at 22 mEq/L (due to lactic acid production from early sepsis/pyelonephritis). Using Winter's formula, the expected is (range: 27-31 mm Hg). The measured is 22 mm Hg. Because the actual is significantly lower than the expected compensatory range, an independent primary respiratory alkalosis is also present, driven by central stimulation of respiration from systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), fever, and pain.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
In patients with metabolic acidosis, Winter's formula () must be used to calculate expected respiratory compensation. An actual lower than the expected range indicates a concomitant primary respiratory alkalosis.
Alternatif Yöntem
To ensure absolute precision, you can also calculate the Delta Ratio (). . . The ratio is 1.0. A ratio between 1.0 and 2.0 confirms a pure high anion gap metabolic acidosis without a hidden normal anion gap acidosis or metabolic alkalosis.
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