Consider the following case study A 2o-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital

Question

Consider the following case study

A 2o-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital following reports of vomiting, nausea, rapid breathing (tachypnea) and was sweating. She was found to be taking aspirin to manage a thromboembolic disorder. Following admission into the hospital, she had an internal temperature of 101.5 degrees farenheight., a tachycardic heart rate along with a tachypneic respiratory rate.

SHe was found to be in an altered mental state. Finally, Her arterial blood gas had a pH reading of 7.25 suggesting an acid imbalance as the normal blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45

1) what type of acid-base imbalance does she have and how did this condition develop?

2) discuss all possible compensatory mechanisms her body is undergoing for the stated above acid-base imbalance

3) why is this 20-year old women taking aspirin to manage her thromboembolism?

Explanation / Answer

1) The patient is suffering from metabolic acidosis as a result of aspirin overdose.

2) The body compensates metabolic acidosis by increasing the rate of respiration which causes carbon dioxide washout resulting in increase in pH of the blood. Also, the concentration of bicarbonate in the body is increased by decreasing renal bicarbonate excretion.

3) Aspirin being an anti platelet drug us used in the treatment of thromboembolism. It prevents the clumping if platelets leading to thrombus formation and therefore used in anti-coagulant therapy.

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