A 26-year-old man is
admitted through the emergency department to the hospital for a heroin
overdose. His heart rate is 45 beats/min, and his blood pressure is 75/40 mm
Hg. Which of the following best depicts the results from an arterial blood
sample ?
pH PaCO2 (mm Hg) HCO3- (mEq/L)
A. 7.22 66 26
B. 7.34 29 15
C. 7.40 40 24
D. 7.47 20 14
E. 7.49 48 35
A. 7.22 66 26
B. 7.34 29 15
C. 7.40 40 24
D. 7.47 20 14
E. 7.49 48 35
Correct answer is A. This man has a respiratory acidosis. Overdose with drugs that suppress ventilation (e.g., heroin, morphine, barbiturates, methaqualone, and "sleeping pills") often causes hypercapnia. In patients with an intact renal response, the respiratory acidosis causes a compensatory rise in plasma HCO3-, which lessens the fall in pH. However, the renal response requires several days to develop fully. The plasma HCO3- of 26 mEq/L (normal: 22-28 mEq/L) for this man is typical of acute respiratory acidosis with little or no renal compensation.
ReplyDeleteChoice B reflects metabolic acidosis.
Choice C is normal.
Choice D reflects respiratory alkalosis.
Choice E reflects metabolic alkalosis.