Final answer:
The boy's symptoms are consistent with alcohol intoxication. The specific abnormality expected with the boy's toxic ingestion is Hyperkalemia. Alcohol intoxication can cause shifts in electrolyte balance, including an increase in potassium levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The boy's altered mental status, sedation, sluggish pupils, and flushed skin suggest toxic ingestion. In this case, the boy's symptoms are consistent with alcohol intoxication. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to sedation, altered mental status, and vomiting. The presence of empty beer cans suggests the boy ingested large quantities of alcohol.
The specific abnormality that would be expected with the boy's toxic ingestion is B) Hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia refers to elevated levels of potassium in the blood. Alcohol intoxication can cause shifts in electrolyte balance, including an increase in potassium levels. This can occur due to impaired kidney function and decreased potassium excretion.
A five-year-old boy with a history of acute alcohol ingestion would most likely exhibit several clinical changes due to the toxic effects of alcohol. After consuming beer to the point of altered mental status and vomiting, a metabolic alkalosis is a likely finding. This condition often results from severe vomiting, which leads to a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions. Consequently, there is typically an increase in blood pH and bicarbonate concentration due to the relative loss of acidity from the stomach content being expelled. On the other hand, hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood, is less likely to be associated with acute alcohol ingestion and vomiting unless there is an underlying renal issue or excessive use of certain medications involved.