A tourist left New York and flew to Switzerland to climb Mount Blanc in the Swiss Alps, which is 15,771 feet above sea level, barometric pressure = 420 mm Hg. His physician had suggested that he take acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor before and throughout his trip. If he had taken this, what would be the expected response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acetazolamide helps to prevent altitude sickness by causing metabolic acidosis, which stimulates ventilation and helps maintain normal pH levels despite the lower oxygen availability at high altitudes.

A Tourist Left New York and Flew to Switzerland to Climb