Question

A scene in the ER: A CIA operative who has had no previous medical history presents with initial complaints of nausea, vomiting, severe weakness. Now he is also short of breath. His pH is 7.20 and his HCO3 is 17. What is most likely going on in his body?

a. Poisoning (by an enemy spy) cellular hypoxiacells must repeatedly go through
anaerobic glycolysis to gain some ATPSincreases pyruvatelactic acidosis metabolic acidosis.
b. Poisoning (by an enemy spy) hypoxiacells must continuously go through aerobic
glycolysis instead of continuing down normal metabolic pathway low ATPSrespiratory
acidosis.
c. Gastrointestinal flu can't eat low blood sugarglucagon secretedtriggers glycogenolysis glucose released into blood, but also there are acidotic byproducts that must be countered by more HCO3increased alkalinitymetabolic alkalosis.
d. Job stresslow oxygenation body compensates by increasing respiratory rate (hyperventilation) too much CO2 blown off respiratory alkalosis.

Answer 1

The patient is likely experiencing metabolic acidosis, indicated by a low blood pH and bicarbonate level, which could be caused by various conditions including lactic acidosis or toxin ingestion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's symptoms of nausea, vomiting, severe weakness, shortness of breath, along with a pH of 7.20 and an HCO3 level of 17 suggest metabolic acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH in the blood due to a primary bicarbonate deficiency. The underlying cause could be due to various conditions including lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis from diabetes, intake of certain substances like aspirin, or renal failure leading to an accumulation of organic acids. When the body compensates for the acidosis, the pCO2 is expected to decrease as the respiratory system tries to exhale more CO2 to reestablish the proper bicarbonate to carbonic acid ratio.