A 46-year-old man presents with 3 days of weakness and lightheadedness following broad-spectrum antibiotic initiation. He reports profuse watery diarrhea. Vital signs: BP 118/76 mmHg, HR 102/min, RR 20/min, temperature 37.2°C. Serum electrolytes reveal Na+ 138 mEq/L, Cl− 112 mEq/L, and HCO3− 16 mEq/L. Arterial pH is 7.28. Urine electrolytes are normal. Which acid-base disorder best explains these findings?

  1. A)Respiratory acidosis
  2. B)Respiratory alkalosis
  3. C)Nonanion gap metabolic acidosisGABARITO
  4. D)Metabolic alkalosis
  5. E)Anion gap metabolic acidosis

Explicação

Diarrhea causes loss of bicarbonate-rich intestinal fluid, producing a hyperchloremic nonanion gap metabolic acidosis. The chloride is elevated as bicarbonate falls, preserving electroneutrality without generating an increased anion gap. Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →

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