Authors: Emily Rashleigh, Faisal Faruqi / Editor: Mark Winstanley / Reviewer: Emily Rashleigh / Codes: / Published: 29/04/2022
A 45-year-old regular 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.