A 21-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his roommate because of altered mental status. He found him covering his ears and shouting near an empty bottle of aspirin tablets. Upon questioning, he was unable to look directly at the physician and answer coherently., he reported feeling nauseous and vomited twice. His temperature is 38.2°C (100.8°F), pulse is 100/min, respirations are 28/min, and blood pressure is 110/77 mm Hg. Physical examination shows normal-sized reactive pupils and clear lungs. There is tenderness over the epigastric area. He is admitted to the hospital for evaluation. Which of the following sets of laboratory results is most likely to be found in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Salicylate intoxication should be suspected in patients with the triad of fever, tinnitus, and tachypnea.  Salicylates both stimulate central respiratory drive to cause primary respiratory alkalosis and disrupt cellular metabolism to cause primary anion gap metabolic acidosis.  Therefore, toxicity classically presents with a mixed acid-base disturbance and a blood pH sometimes within the normal range.

A 21-Year-Old Man Is Brought to the Emergency Department by His