05-24-2010, 11:21 AM
A 65-year-old homeless man with a past medical history significant for alcohol abuse was brought to the emergency department by the local ambulance company after being found outside the local strip mall being loud and reckless. Although he was awake, the patient was unable to give any further history. He is well known to the emergency department for multiple visits for alcohol intoxication. Four hours later, the patient was found to be unarousable even after vigorous noxious stimulation. His temperature is 97.9 F with a blood pressure of 110/65 mm Hg, a heart rate of 88/min, and a respiratory rate of 28/min. His eye examination is normal. He has bilateral rales on lung examination, with a minimally distended, nontender abdomen. His arterial blood gas shows: pH 7.15, pCO2 23 mm Hg, and pO2 88 mm Hg. Laboratory studies reveal: sodium 133 mEq/L, chloride 107 mEq/L, serum bicarbonate 10 mEq/L, BUN 34 mg/dL, creatinine 2.2 mg/dL, and glucose 180 mg/dL. The ethanol level is 46 mg dL, with a serum osmolality of 305 mOsm/kg. Urinalysis shows no protein, ketones, or white cells, but crystals are present. What is the definitive treatment for this patient?
(A) Pyridoxine and thiamine
(B) Fomepizole
© Hemodialysis
(D) Ethanol infusion
(E) Gastric lavage
(A) Pyridoxine and thiamine
(B) Fomepizole
© Hemodialysis
(D) Ethanol infusion
(E) Gastric lavage