A 78-year-old woman is admitted for acute heart failure exac…

A 78-year-old woman is admitted for acute heart failure exacerbation. Over the past 48 hours, her weight has increased by 2.5 kg. On examination, she has elevated jugular venous pressure, bilateral lower extremity pitting edema, and rales at the lung bases. Her vital signs are: BP 110/70 mm Hg, HR 98 bpm, RR 22/min, SpO₂ 94% on room air. Urine output has decreased to 0.4 mL/kg/hr. Which of the following findings is the most specific clinical indicator of fluid overload in this patient?

A 64-year-old man with diabetes and chronic kidney disease i…

A 64-year-old man with diabetes and chronic kidney disease is brought to the ED with confusion and Kussmaul respirations. He has been on metformin therapy. Vitals: BP 88/54, HR 118, RR 28, SpO₂ 95% on room air. Labs: Na 138 mEq/L, K 5.5 mEq/L, Cl 102 mEq/L, HCO₃ 12 mEq/L, BUN 48 mg/dL, Cr 3.2 mg/dL. Arterial blood gas: pH 7.21, PaCO₂ 25 mmHg. Lactate is 8 mmol/L.Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause of his metabolic acidosis?

A patient presents with muscle cramps, perioral numbness, an…

A patient presents with muscle cramps, perioral numbness, and a positive Trousseau sign. Another patient presents with polyuria, constipation, and confusion. Which of the following laboratory and clinical findings best differentiates hypocalcemia from hypercalcemia, and what is the most appropriate initial diagnostic evaluation for each?

A 30-year-old woman presents with high fever, hypotension, d…

A 30-year-old woman presents with high fever, hypotension, diffuse erythematous rash, and multisystem involvement including renal and hepatic dysfunction. She recently had prolonged tampon use. Blood cultures are pending. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management?

A 72-year-old woman presents with confusion and serum sodium…

A 72-year-old woman presents with confusion and serum sodium of 122 mmol/L. She recently started sertraline for depression and is also taking carbamazepine for trigeminal neuralgia. Which of the following medications is most likely responsible for her hyponatremia due to SIADH?