Submitted by: Submitted by brianfromhawaii
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Words: 687
Pages: 3
Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 09/22/2014 09:37 PM
The Car Accident: A Case Study in Acid-Base Balance
Mr. Henderson, a 52-year-old male, was on his way to work during a heavy rainstorm when he lost control of his car and crossed into oncoming traffic where he collided head-on with a small delivery truck. Witnesses accessed the 911 emergency medical response system, and paramedics arrived quickly. The driver of the truck suffered only minor cuts and scrapes, but Mr. Henderson was having difficulty breathing and complaining of severe chest pain. Transport time to the nearest trauma center was less than two minutes, so the emergency personnel elected to “scoop and haul.” A large bruise on his chest indicated that Mr. Henderson had experienced blunt trauma from the impact of the steering wheel after the airbag failed to deploy.
Mr. Henderson presented in the ER with blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle weakness, hypoventilation, and a feeling of mental confusion. A chest X ray revealed bilateral fractures in the fourth, fifth, and six ribs along with a suspected hemothorax. An ECG revealed signs of ventricular arrhythmias. The values following values were taken from the results of an arterial blood gas (ABG) and urinalysis (UA).
Aterial Blood Gas (ABG) High or Low
pH: 7.0 Low
Pco2: 62 High
bicarbonate: 29 mEq/L High
Urinalysis (UA)
pH: 4.0 Low
Short Answer Questions
1. Define the following terms contained in this case:
a. Bilateral
pertaining to both sides (fourth, fifth, and sixth ribs on Mr. Henderson were fractured on both sides)
b. Hypoventilation
condition where a reduced amount of air is getting to the alveoli resulting in decreased oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide.
c. Hemothorax
pooling of blood in the space between the chest wall and lung
d. Arrhythmias
a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat
2. What are the normal ranges for the...