Case 2 A I9-year-old female imbibed about 7 beers within a short period of time.

Question

Case 2 A I9-year-old female imbibed about 7 beers within a short period of time. She began to feel weak, dizzy. nauseous, and complained of a pounding headache. One of her friends suggested that she take a few AdviIs. Within 30 minutes she fell asleep, and her friends assumed it was the effect of the alcohol. After two hours a friend keenly observed that her breathing was somewhat erratic and shallow. They are unable to wake her. They call an ambulance and she is transported to the local emergency department. While en route to the ER, a petit mal seizure is noted by the paramedics. In the ER, her blood pressure is 70/50 tier AST and ALT are elevated (approximately 30%). Iler ABC; values arc as follows: pH = 7.1 PCO2 =74 HCO3 = 27 Blood chemistry reveals a hematocrit of 49; creatinine is high-normal.EKG demonstrates mild arrhythmia with occasional APCs. What is the significance of the pH? Did she effectively pass out or innocently fall asleep? Explain her erratic breathing. From a purely nursing protocol what do you believe her prognosis to be? What is the presumptive diagnosis?

Explanation / Answer

1). The patient's breath is erratic and shallow, which increases blood PCO2 levels, causing respiratory acidosis (normal blood pH is 7.4). The patient is suffering from respiratory acidosis. The increased CO2 levels decreased the blood pH by producing more bicarbonate ions.

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