• SOM 4th Yr Curriculum

• CLERKSHIP INFORMATION
• Introduction / Goals and Objectives
• Rotations
  • HMC
  • UWMC
  • VAMC
• Seminars
• Faculty Only
• PULMONARY EDUCATION
• Pulmonary Med Library
• Arterial Blood Gases
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
• Mechanical Ventilation
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Pleural Effusion
• Radiology

Arterial Blood Gas

Case 8

A 47 year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use presents with a two-day history of severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. On exam, his blood pressure is 90/50 and he is markedly tender in his epigastrum. His initial laboratory studies reveal:

• sodium of 132
• chloride 92
• HCO₃- 16
• creatinine 1.5
• amylase 400
• lipase 250

A room air arterial blood gas is drawn and reveals

• pH 7.28,
• PCO₂ 34,
• PO₂ 88,
• HCO₃- 16

Acid-base status:

Alveolar-arterial oxygen difference:

Explanation for the clinical picture:

Return to Case Index | Go to Case 8 answers

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