A 17-year-old woman was brought by her friends to the emergency room in an agitated state.She stated that she had broken up with her boyfriend and he had threatened her.Her temperature was 101° F,and she was breathing rapidly.She claimed that she could not slow her breathing down despite attempts to have her breathe deeply.An arterial blood gas revealed a pH of 7.54,HCO₃ of 18 mmol/L,and PCO₂ of 28 mm Hg.What is occurring in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's high pH (7.54) and low PCO2 (28 mm Hg) indicate respiratory alkalosis, which is caused by excess elimination of acid via the respiratory route (hyperventilation). This is consistent with the patient's complaint of rapid breathing and inability to slow down her breathing despite attempts to do so. The HC03- level (18 mmol/L) is decreased, as expected with respiratory alkalosis. The other answer choices do not fit with the patient's presentation and laboratory values.

A 17-Year-Old Woman Was Brought by Her Friends to the Emergency