A patient's laboratory test results indicate a total carbon dioxide (TCO₂)level of 45 mmol/L.However, the health-care provider is concerned that this result may be a false positive.Which of the following medications if taken by the patient could cause an artificially increased finding such as this? A)Ammonium chloride B)Metformin C)Tetracycline D)Aspirin

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can cause respiratory alkalosis initially, leading to compensatory metabolic alkalosis, which may result in an artificially increased total carbon dioxide (TCO2) level in the blood. This is because the body retains bicarbonate to compensate for the loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation induced by aspirin toxicity.

A Patient's Laboratory Test Results Indicate a Total Carbon Dioxide