Question

A cigarette vendor was brought to the emergency department of a hospital after she fell into the ground and hurt her left leg. She is noted to be tachycardic and tachypneic. Painkillers were carried out to lessen her pain. Suddenly, she started complaining that she is still in pain and now experiencing muscle cramps, tingling, and paraesthesia. Measurement of arterial blood gas reveals pH 7.6, PaO2 120 mm Hg, PaCO2 31 mm Hg, and HCO3 25 mmol/L. What does this mean?

A Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated
B Respiratory Acidosis, Partially Compensated
C Metabolic Alkalosis, Uncompensated
D Metabolic Alkalosis, Partially Compensated

Answer 1

The patient's arterial blood gas results indicate an uncompensated respiratory alkalosis, characterized by an elevated blood pH, reduced PaCO2, and normal HCO3- levels, without significant metabolic compensation. so, option A is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The arterial blood gas results provided show a pH of 7.6, PaO2 of 120 mm Hg, PaCO2 of 31 mm Hg, and HCO3- of 25 mmol/L. Based on these values, the patient is experiencing alkalosis, as indicated by the elevated pH level above the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45. Additionally, the low PaCO2 value suggests this is a respiratory condition rather than metabolic, as a primary metabolic alkalosis would show an increased HCO3- level. The fact that HCO3- is within the normal physiological range indicates there is no significant metabolic compensation occurring.

Therefore, the correct classification of the patient's acid-base imbalance is Respiratory Alkalosis, Uncompensated (Option A). Symptoms such as muscle cramps, tingling, and paresthesia are in line with alkalosis, which can include cognitive impairment, tingling or numbness in the extremities, muscle twitching, spasm, and nausea and vomiting.