Your patient is currently unconscious after a bad car accident.
After a CT scan and MRI are performed on the patient's head and neck, there are signs of brain bruising on both the anterior and posterior portions of the brain. This should be documented as signs of what?

Choice A rationale

Uncompensated respiratory acidosis would exhibit a low pH (normal range 7.35-7.45) and an elevated PaCO2 (normal range 35-45 mmHg), with a bicarbonate level (normal range 22-26 mEq/L) that remains within the normal range. In this scenario, the bicarbonate is elevated, indicating a renal compensatory response has begun.

Choice B rationale

The patient's pH of 7.3 indicates acidosis (normal 7.35-7.45). The PaCO2 of 68 mmHg is elevated (normal 35-45 mmHg), indicating a respiratory origin. The HCO3 of 28 mmol/L is elevated (normal 22-26 mEq/L), signifying that the kidneys are attempting to compensate by retaining bicarbonate. Since the pH is still acidic, but the bicarbonate is responding, it is partially compensated respiratory acidosis.

Choice C rationale

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH (normal 7.35-7.45) and a low bicarbonate level (normal 22-26 mEq/L). The PaCO2 (normal 35-45 mmHg) would either be normal if uncompensated or low if the respiratory system was compensating. Here, the primary disturbance is respiratory.

Choice D rationale

Metabolic alkalosis presents with an elevated pH (normal 7.35-7.45) and an elevated bicarbonate level (normal 22-26 mEq/L). The PaCO2 (normal 35-45 mmHg) would be normal if uncompensated or elevated if the respiratory system was compensating. This patient's pH is acidic, ruling out alkalosis.

Choice A rationale

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, primarily used for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. While it may be used in certain respiratory conditions, it is not routinely co-administered with vecuronium to mitigate direct effects of neuromuscular blockade. Its use would be based on the underlying disease process rather than as an adjunct to neuromuscular blockade.

Choice B rationale

Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic. It is essential to administer an opioid like fentanyl concurrently with vecuronium because neuromuscular blocking agents induce paralysis without affecting consciousness or pain perception. Paralyzing a patient without providing adequate analgesia would be profoundly distressing and unethical, leading to severe anxiety and suffering.

Choice C rationale

Midazolam is a benzodiazepine, primarily used for sedation and anxiolysis. It is crucial to administer a sedative like midazolam concurrently with vecuronium because patients who are paralyzed by neuromuscular blockers are still fully conscious and aware of their surroundings. Sedation prevents psychological distress and ensures patient comfort during mechanical ventilation.

Choice D rationale

Furosemide is a loop diuretic, used to promote diuresis and reduce fluid overload. While fluid management is often critical in critically ill patients, especially those with ARDS, furosemide is not a medication that is routinely administered *with* vecuronium as a direct adjunct to its action. Its use would depend on the patient's fluid status and renal function.

Choice E rationale

Famotidine is a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, primarily used to reduce gastric acid production and prevent stress ulcers. While stress ulcer prophylaxis is common in critically ill patients, famotidine is not administered concurrently with vecuronium to mitigate direct effects of neuromuscular blockade. Its use is prophylactic and unrelated to the paralytic's action.