SAQ 1466 – Febrile child with respiratory symptoms and abnormal VBG

Marked out of 15.00

A five-year-old boy is brought to your ED with two days of fever, cough and lethargy.

Chest examination shows reduced breath sounds and crackles at the right base. A venous blood gas has been taken.

Observation Value
Temperature 38.8 degrees C
Pulse 145/min
BP 90/40 mmHg
Respiratory rate 40/min
O2 saturation 91% on room air
Parameter Result Reference range
pH 7.18 7.35-7.45
pCO2 21 mmHg 35-45 mmHg
pO2 25 mmHg 80-100 mmHg
HCO3 8 mmol/L 22-32 mmol/L
Base excess -18.5 mmol/L -3 to +3 mmol/L
Sodium 140 mmol/L 135-145 mmol/L
Potassium 5.7 mmol/L 3.5-5.0 mmol/L
Chloride 98 mmol/L 100-110 mmol/L
Glucose 38 mmol/L 3.0-7.8 mmol/L

In point form, explain all abnormalities shown on the venous blood gas.

(Marked out of 8.0)


/ 8

State your diagnosis based on all the clinical information.

(Marked out of 2.0)


/ 2

List your five main treatment steps, including drugs and doses where appropriate.

(Marked out of 5.0)


/ 5

Total Score: 0 / 15

Percentage: 0%