* Question1
		#531186
	sammy10 - 09/05/10 19:03
	A 82 year old woman with a history of Alzheimer's dementia presents to the emergency department with her family. Her home health attendant found her collapsed on the floor of her appartment. The patient gradually becomes more alert and conversant after the administration of IV saline for 2 days.Attempts to feed her unsuccessful as she has difficulty swallowing. A decision is made to put a percutaneous gastrostomy tube to ensure proper nutrition and protect her any lung infection due to aspiration. On fourth hospital day, tube feeding are started at a rate of 40ml/hour with free water boluses. The patient tolerates these well. The following day the patient is found to be lethargic, with oxygen saturation of 72%. She is taken to the ICU where she requires intubation and ventilation for her respiratory failure. At present her vitals are temperature 37.8C, bp of 112/72mm, pulse of 65/min. Which is the most likely electrolyte abnormality in this patient? A. Hyperkalemia b. Hypokalemia c. Hypomagnesemia d. Hyponatremia e. Hypophosphatemia
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