A 32-Year-Old Man Is Hospitalized Due to Nausea, Vomiting, and Severe

A 32-year-old man is hospitalized due to nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain.  He has a history of heavy alcohol use and was admitted to the hospital for acute pancreatitis a year ago.  He has continued to drink alcohol since his last hospitalization and had a party last weekend, during which he consumed an entire 750-mL bottle of liquor.  Temperature is 38.3 C (100.9 F) , blood pressure is 110/80 mm Hg, pulse is 104/min, and respirations are 20/min.  Abdominal examination is notable for marked tenderness in the epigastric region.  Serum lipase is 2,392 U/L.  The patient is admitted and started on intravenous fluids, analgesics, and antiemetics with subsequent improvement in his symptoms.  His vital signs remain stable with adequate urine output.  However, on the second day of hospitalization, the patient develops progressive shortness of breath and hypoxemia.  Chest x-ray reveals new bilateral opacities.  Which of the following parameters is most likely to be normal in this patient?

A) Capillary permeability
B) Lung compliance
C) Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
D) Ventilation/perfusion matching
E) Work of breathing

Correct Answer:

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