Lab case 401

50 year old male with a background of alcohol dependence presents to ED after 24 hours of no alcohol use. He looked anxious and sweaty. He complained of legs cramping and he is feeling increasingly weak. He had difficulties supporting his weight.

His venous blood gases showed the following:

pH = 7.62

pCO2 = 33 mmHg

pO2 = 39 mmHg

HCO3 = 36 mmol/L

Na =127 mmol/L

K = 2.3 mmol/L

Cl = 68 mmol/L

Hb = 101 g/L

Lactate = 8 mmol/L

Glucose = 10.0 mmol/L

Creatinine =172 umol/L

  1. Interpret these results
  2. What are the stages of alcohol withdrawal?