Diarrhea and an abnormal BMP

by rcentor on December 16, 2009

Interesting patient presented recently.  He is HIV+ and has a 10 day history of large volume watery diarrhea. On the 3rd day his BMP showed.  On admission his HCO3 was 19.

Electrolyte panel
Na 149 Cl 128 BUN 13
K 3.0 HCO3 12 creat 0.8

This is actually relatively easy.

1. What is the likely acid-base problem?

2. How can we prove our assumption?

3. How would you treat this patient?

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Rahul December 16, 2009 at 8:21 pm

1) Non anion gap metabolic acidosis.
2) ABG
3) hydration, K replacement

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