A 37-year-old man is being seen in the emergency room because of a 3-month history of nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, increased urination, and generalized weakness. The patient has a 2-year history of gastric discomfort and pain which he has been attempting to manage with large quantities of antacids, a bland diet, and milk. Which of the following laboratory abnormalities is most likely in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms and history suggest milk-alkali syndrome, which is characterized by hypercalcemia due to excessive intake of calcium and absorbable alkali from antacids and milk.  The patient would most likely manifest with milk-alkali syndrome resulting from taking too much calcium by mouth. Many antacids are calcium salts and treating oneself by drinking lots of milk and taking lots of calcium salt antacids results in increased blood calcium levels.

A 37-Year-Old Man Is Being Seen in the Emergency Room