Authors: Emily Rashleigh, Faisal Faruqi / Editor: Mark Winstanley / Reviewer: Emily Rashleigh / Codes: MHC1, PhP1, PhP2, PhP3, SLO3, SLO7 / Published: 29/04/2022 / Reviewed: 16/02/2026
A 45-year-old regular Emergency Department (ED) attender brought in by paramedics after being found unresponsive, GCS 11 (E2, M5 V4), in a lay-by near a local garage. The gentleman appears intoxicated. He does not smell of alcohol.
Initial VBG indicates:
pH 7.33, PaCO2 3.8, glucose 7.0, lactate 4.5, BE -5
Whilst waiting to be assessed the GCS drops to 9 and a repeat gas show pH 7.10, Lactate 6.2, BE -12.
Views: 630
10 responses
Useful in day to day practice in ED
good questions
Useful revision!!
Exam favourite. An alcoholic who doesn’t smell like alcohol
Very good revision
good revision
good case
THANK YOU, really good case,
very usefeul
Usual presentation