A patient presents to the emergency room with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for three days. The patient's lab values are as follows: K = 3.8, Na = 149, pH = 7.32, HCO₃^- = 20, and PaCO₂ = 40. Which of the following intravenous fluids should be ordered?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient has metabolic acidosis, as evidenced by the low pH and HCO₃^- and elevated PaCO₂. The patient also has hypokalemia, as evidenced by the low K. Therefore, the patient should be given an intravenous fluid that contains both sodium bicarbonate to correct the acidosis and potassium to correct the hypokalemia. 0.45% normal saline with 100 mEq/L of sodium bicarbonate is the only intravenous fluid that contains both of these components.

A Patient Presents to the Emergency Room with Nausea, Vomiting