Originally posted by: Eyes-Wide-Shut
Gurrrl keep it simple for boards, vomiting = metabolic Alkalosis, you need compensatory resp. acidosis so shallow breathing and breathing into bag = rebreathing Carbon dioxide which leads to Resp. Acidosis with decreasing oxygen levels.
Also another board point: shallow breathing aka Kussmel's breathing - if you see that in the question stem assume patient is DIABETIC!
They will ask a 12 year old girl presents with shallow breathing and abdominal pain, on Physical examination patient seems to be in distress and appears to be dehydrated...yada yada yada
Daignosis; Diabetic Ketoacidosis
What do you order: ABG, CBC with Basic metabolic panel
Treatment: IV fluids, then add insulin.
Patient will appear to be HyperK but in reality they will be K deficient due to fluid loss via emesis so keep an eye on K, when giving insulin monitor K and if low, replace K.