Explain the lab data from when Clark arrived at the hospital.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Here’s a structured patient summary with lab data explanation and treatment goals, along with an image representation.
Patient Summary
Clark, a 58-year-old male, was admitted to the hospital with complaints of chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. He has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. His vitals at admission showed elevated blood pressure (160/95 mmHg), tachycardia (HR: 110 bpm), and oxygen saturation at 92%. Initial ECG suggested ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Lab Data Explanation
Upon arrival, Clark’s lab results were as follows:
- Troponin I: Elevated at 2.5 ng/mL (Normal: <0.04 ng/mL), indicating myocardial injury.
- CK-MB: Elevated at 50 U/L (Normal: <5 U/L), confirming cardiac muscle damage.
- Blood Glucose: 220 mg/dL (Normal: 70-140 mg/dL), showing hyperglycemia.
- Lipid Panel: LDL 160 mg/dL (High), HDL 35 mg/dL (Low), Triglycerides 250 mg/dL, suggesting dyslipidemia.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): WBC 12,000/μL (elevated, indicating possible stress response).
- Electrolytes: Mild hyponatremia (Na 132 mEq/L), which could contribute to cardiovascular instability.
These results confirmed an acute myocardial infarction with underlying metabolic abnormalities.
Treatment Goals
- Restore Coronary Blood Flow: Administer thrombolytic therapy or proceed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to re-establish circulation.
- Manage Pain and Reduce Myocardial Workload: Use nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, and morphine for symptomatic relief.
- Stabilize Vital Signs: Control hypertension and arrhythmias using ACE inhibitors and antiarrhythmic medications.
- Correct Metabolic Abnormalities: Insulin therapy for hyperglycemia, statins for dyslipidemia, and electrolyte correction.
- Prevent Future Cardiovascular Events: Initiate aspirin, clopidogrel, and lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, smoking cessation).
These interventions aim to prevent further cardiac damage, stabilize the patient, and reduce long-term complications.
