Given the following laboratory data, select the test(s) that would be useful in the identification of the cause of the acid-base imbalance?
PH = 7.25
PCO₂ = 25 mm Hg
Cl = 100 mEq/L
TCO₂ = 15 mEq/L
Na = 140 mEq/L
K = 7.4 mEq/L

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The data above indicate the presence of partially compensated metabolic acidosis.This state developed as a result of a decrease in bicarbonate that was used to neutralize excess acid.The calculated bicarbonate level (HCO₃ = (αpCO₂) antilog[pH - pKₐ]) is 11 mEq/L.The low value for pCO₂ indicates that the body is attempting to compensate for the loss of bicarbonate by blowing off excess CO₂.Even though compensation has begun, compensation has not been completed at the time of data collection, because the pH is still low.Thus the data indicate partially compensated metabolic acidosis.The calculated anion gap is 29 mEq/L.This indicates that the loss of bicarbonate is being balanced by the formation of the anion of the acid causing the initial imbalance.Possible causes for high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis include diabetic or starvation ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, and salicylate poisoning among others.Measure of serum or urine acetone, blood lactate, and serum or urine salicylate levels will assist in distinguishing the cause of the metabolic acidosis.

Given the Following Laboratory Data, Select the Test(s) That Would