57&58: Acid Base Problems Flashcards
1
Q
What is flail chest? What is it commonly associated with?
A
- Dual breaks across a couple of ribs (no physical anchoring)
- Associated with pulmonary contusion causing accumulation of blood
2
Q
What should patients always be screened for when presenting with acute heart failure etc.?
A
Infection (e.g. pneumonia can cause exacerbation)
3
Q
What are the effects of tricyclic overdose due to?
A
Anticholinergic and antiadrenergic effects
4
Q
Why is seizure associated with significant lactic acidosis?
A
Seizure has high metabolic requirements
5
Q
Why is IV bicarbonate thought to be ineffective in correcting metabolic acidosis in the case of lactic acidosis?
A
- Only corrects extracellular pH
- Acid production occurs INTRAcellularly
6
Q
Why is hypokalaemia arrhyhtmogenic?
A
- Opening of delayed rectifier channels
- Ik occurs later
- AP duration is increased
7
Q
What is best practice management for tricyclic overdose?
A
Slow volume expansion (inc. peripheral perfusion and reduce acidosis)
