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Question

Mr. X is a 56-year-old male admitted to a hospital for shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. He is diagnosed with pneumonia. He has a history of congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, hypertension, gout, and coronary artery disease.

Height: 5'9"   Weight: 220 pounds

LABS:                                 Normal Values                            Arterial BGs:                          Normal values
Na = 133 mEq/L                   (135–147) mEq/L                         pH = 7.9                              (7.35–7.45)
Cl = 103 mEq/L                    (95–107) mEq/L                           pCO2 = 30 mmHg                (35–45) mmHg
K = 4.1 mEq/L                      (3.5–5.2) mEq/L                           pO2 = 96 mmHg                   (70–100) mmHg
Glucose = 207 mmol/L         (up to 140) mmol/L                      HCO3 = 26 mEq/L               (19–25) mEq/L
BUN = 25 mmol/L                (7–20) mmol/L
Creatinine = 1.5 mmol/L       (0.5–1.4) mmol/L
Albumin 3.2 mmol/L             (3.2–5) mmol/L
Cholesterol = 320 mmol/L     (< 200) mmol/L
 
What factor is contributing most to his acid–base disorder?

A. gout
B. high cholesterol
C. pneumonia/shortness of breath
D. osteoarthritis
E. hypertension

Answer 1

Answer: C