The following data are taken from a 74-year-old female who has just been admitted to ICU following surgery for revision of an infected hip prosthesis.
Parameter | Patient Value | Normal Adult Range |
Sodium | 147 mmol/L* | 135 – 145 |
Potassium | 3.6 mmol/L | 3.2 – 4.5 |
Chloride | 124 mmol/L* | 100 – 110 |
Haemoglobin | 106 g/L* | 115 – 155 |
FiO2 | 0.3 | . |
pH | 7.32* | 7.35 – 7.45 |
PCO2 | 32 mmHg (4.3 kPa)* | 35 – 45 (4.6 – 5.9) |
PO2 | 63 mmHg (8.4 kPa) | . |
Bicarbonate | 16.0 mmol/L* | 22.0 – 26.0 |
Standard Base Excess | -9.0 mmol/L* | -2.0 – +2.0 |
a) Describe the acid-base abnormalities.(20% marks)
b) What is the likely cause of this disturbance? (20% marks)
c) What is the underlying biochemical mechanism?(10% marks)
a)
Normal anion gap metabolic acidosis with appropriate respiratory compensation.
b)
Resuscitation with large volume saline infusion.
c)
ECF dilution by fluid with strong ion difference of zero (or any reasonable explanation.)
Let us dissect these results systematically.
It is pleasing to see the use of Stewart's physicochemical approach to acid-base analysis in the college answer.