A 72-year-old woman is evaluated in the hospital for progressive lethargy and confusion over the past 24 hours. She was admitted 4 days ago for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On admission, she was started on intravenous methylprednisolone, nebulized ipratropium-albuterol, and empiric piperacillin-tazobactam. She was also continued on her home dose of furosemide for a history of ischemic cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%. Her other home medications include lisinopril and levothyroxine.
Her temperature is (), blood pressure is , pulse is , and respirations are . Physical examination shows dry mucous membranes. The jugular venous pressure is . Lung auscultation reveals distant breath sounds with faint expiratory wheezes and fine bibasilar crackles. Cardiac examination shows a regular tachycardia with no murmurs or gallops.
Laboratory studies show:
Sodium:
Potassium:
Chloride:
Bicarbonate:
Blood urea nitrogen:
Creatinine: (baseline )
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): (normal: )
Free T4: (normal: )
Arterial blood gas on oxygen by nasal cannula shows:
pH:
PaCO₂:
PaO₂:
Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?
- Administer intravenous 0.9% normal saline and potassium chlorideCevap
- BAdminister an additional dose of intravenous furosemide
- CInitiate noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation
- DBroaden antibiotic coverage to intravenous meropenem
- EDecrease the daily dose of levothyroxine