Quiz page September 2010. An industrial worker hospitalized with paralysis after an aerosolized chemical exposure. Final diagnosis: Hypokalemia secondary to acute inhaled barium chloride exposure.

摘要

A 54-year-old healthy male factory worker was brought to the emergency department reporting abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. lethargy, and generalized muscle weak ness 2 hours after accidental exposure lo an aerosolized chemical. On arrival, he was breathing spontaneously and hlood pressure was 121/78 nun Hg. pulse rate was 72 heals/min. ami re.spiralorv rale was 18 breaths/min. Physical examinalion was notable for alert consciousness, hyperactive bowel sounds, and symmetrical decreased muscle tone in all 4 limbs.