Fluids and Electrolytes; Acid-Base

/in , /by

Topic Fluids and Electrolytes; Acid-Base
Academic Level : Bachelor
Paper details
Case 1 (Chapter 5): Fluids and Electrolytes; Acid-Base
Source: Copstead, L. & Banasik, J. (2006). Pathophysiology (3rd ed.). Mosby.
Helpful resources for Case Study 1:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf/
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/chf
A.C. is a 79-year-old man living in a long-term care facility. He has had multiple medical diagnoses,
including congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and stroke. He is
bedridden and receiving enteral tube feedings. He has chronic diarrhea thought to be related to his tube
feedings. He receives digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix) to manage his CHF.
Case Questions:
A.C. is prone to several acid-base and fluid-electrolyte disorders. Explain why he is at risk for each of the
following disorders, and what the laboratory and clinical findings would likely be.
saline excess
hypokalemia
hypercalcemia
hypernatremia
respiratory acidosis
1. How would A.C.’s body attempt to compensate for respiratory acidosis if it should it occur?
2. What acid-base imbalance might occur as a result of A.C.’s chronic diarrhea?