QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
This answer is not correct as the pH is high, pointing towards alkalosis and not acidosis. Moreover, the HCO3 is normal suggesting a respiratory rather than metabolic cause.
10008214
e
Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
QuestionChoice
This is the correct answer as the pH is high and pointing towards alkalosis. The pCO2 is low and the HCO3 is normal, therefore leading to an uncompensated respiratory alkalosis. In this case, the most likely cause is a pulmonary embolism, which can lead to a respiratory alkalosis through reflex hyperventilation.
10008210
a
Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
QuestionChoice
This answer is not correct as this patient’s HCO3 level is normal therefore pointing towards a respiratory alkalosis, not a metabolic one.
10008213
d
Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
QuestionChoice
There is no compensation in this case. The patient's HCO3 level is within the normal range, making this option incorrect.
10008212
c
Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
QuestionChoice
This answer is not correct as the pH is high, pointing towards alkalosis and not acidosis.
10008211
b
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Concept
Chapter
2693
4338
Respiratory alkalosis
Topic
132
Respiratory
14189
A 35-year-old man is brought in by ambulance to the Emergency department. He reports breathlessness and severe chest pain that began earlier that afternoon while watching television.


He is usually fit and well with no medical conditions, and has recently returned from a trip to Australia. However he reports his father suffered a blood clot at a young age.


An arterial blood gas reveals the following:

||||
|--------------|:-------:|------------------|
|pH|7.51|7.35 - 7.45|
|PaO₂|10.5 kPa|11 - 15|
|PaCO₂|4.0 kPa|4.6 - 6.4|
|Bicarbonate|23 mmol/L|22 - 30|

Which of the following best describes this patient's acid-base balance?
a