Patient A Patient B Patient C Na + 138 mEq/L 142 mEq/L 148 mEq/L K + 5.1 mEq/L 6
ID: 241096 • Letter: P
Question
Patient A
Patient B
Patient C
Na+
138 mEq/L
142 mEq/L
148 mEq/L
K+
5.1 mEq/L
6.1 mEq/L
3.8 mEq/L
Ca+
8.9 mg/dL
7.5 mg/dL
9.5 mg/dL
Mg+
1.3 mg/dL
0.9 mg/dL
2.1 mg/dL
pH
7.40
7.32
7.42
PCO2
42 mm Hg
48 mm Hg
40 mm Hg
PO2
95%
98%
99%
HCO3
22
28
26
1. Which patient needs to be assessed first based on the information above? Why?
Patient A
Patient B
Patient C
Na+
138 mEq/L
142 mEq/L
148 mEq/L
K+
5.1 mEq/L
6.1 mEq/L
3.8 mEq/L
Ca+
8.9 mg/dL
7.5 mg/dL
9.5 mg/dL
Mg+
1.3 mg/dL
0.9 mg/dL
2.1 mg/dL
pH
7.40
7.32
7.42
PCO2
42 mm Hg
48 mm Hg
40 mm Hg
PO2
95%
98%
99%
HCO3
22
28
26
Explanation / Answer
Patient B needs to be assessed first based on the information provided because of the following.
Electrolyte imbalance:
Acid-base imbalance:
pH: 7.32 (normal: 7.35-7.45)
PCO2: 48 mmHg (normal: 35 – 45 mm Hg)
HCO3: 28 (normal: 22-26 mEq/L)
Patient is in uncompensated respiratory acidosis.