SAQ 1633 – Lethargy with arterial blood gas and electrolytes

Marked out of 12.00

A 40-year-old man presents with four days of progressive lethargy. His background includes spina bifida.

His room-air arterial blood gas and electrolytes are shown below.

Parameter Value Reference range
pH 7.19 7.35-7.45
pCO2 50 mmHg 35-45 mmHg
pO2 86 mmHg 83-108 mmHg
HCO3 19 mmol/L 22-33 mmol/L
Base excess -9.0 -3 to +3
Na 142 mmol/L 135-145 mmol/L
K 5.6 mmol/L 3.5-5.2 mmol/L
Cl 115 mmol/L 95-110 mmol/L

List two acid-base disturbances and provide evidence for each.

(Marked out of 4.0)


/ 4

List four differential diagnoses for the metabolic disturbance and state how your assessment would determine whether each is present.

(Marked out of 8.0)


/ 8

Total Score: 0 / 12

Percentage: 0%