A 45-year-old woman is evaluated in the emergency department for 4 days of severe, voluminous watery diarrhea. She reports significant weakness and lightheadedness when standing. Her medical history is unremarkable, and she takes no medications. Vital signs show a temperature of 37.2°C (99°F), blood pressure of 96/60 mm Hg, heart rate of 114/min, and respiratory rate of 22/min. Physical examination shows dry mucous membranes and decreased skin turgor.
Laboratory studies show the following:
| Test | Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 138 mEq/L |
| Potassium | 3.2 mEq/L |
| Chloride | 115 mEq/L |
| Bicarbonate | 14 mEq/L |
| Blood urea nitrogen | 38 mg/dL |
| Creatinine | 1.1 mg/dL |
Arterial blood gas (room air):
| Test | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.27 |
| 29 mm Hg | |
| 96 mm Hg |
Which of the following best describes this patient's current acid-base status?
- AElevated anion gap metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
- BNon-anion gap metabolic acidosis with a concomitant respiratory alkalosis
- Non-anion gap metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensationCevap
- DNon-anion gap metabolic acidosis with a concomitant respiratory acidosis
- EPrimary respiratory alkalosis with a compensatory metabolic acidosis
Cevap
Non-anion gap metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation
The patient's arterial blood gas shows a pH of 7.27, indicating acidemia. The low serum bicarbonate (14 mEq/L) identifies the primary disorder as a metabolic acidosis, which is consistent with severe diarrhea (loss of bicarbonate in the stool). The anion gap is calculated as Sodium - (Chloride + Bicarbonate) = 138 - (115 + 14) = 9 mEq/L, which falls within the normal range (8-12 mEq/L), indicating a non-anion gap metabolic acidosis. To determine if respiratory compensation is appropriate, Winter's formula is applied: Expected . In this patient, the expected is mm Hg. The patient's actual is 29 mm Hg, which exactly matches the expected value. Therefore, this is a simple, fully compensated non-anion gap metabolic acidosis.
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Anahtar Kavram
Acid-base interpretation of a simple metabolic acidosis requires establishing the primary disorder, calculating the anion gap, and using Winter's formula to verify appropriate respiratory compensation.
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