A 54-Year-Old Man Is Brought to the Emergency Department by His

A 54-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife because of progressive lethargy and confusion for the past 10 hours. His temperature is 36.7 C (98 F) , blood pressure is 86/48 mm Hg, pulse is 120/min, and respirations are 12/min.  Arterial blood gas results show pH 7.54, PaCO₂ 49 mm Hg, and PaO₂ 85 mm Hg.  Which of the following laboratory studies would be the most useful in determining the cause of this patient's acid-base abnormality?

A) Serum ketones
B) Serum osmolality
C) Serum sodium
D) Urine chloride
E) Urine glucose

Correct Answer:

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