Question

Claim:

Choose the best claim stating why marathon runner #0358 ended up in a coma.

A
She had normal body temperature but was dehydrated.

B
She consumed too many carbohydrates during the race.

C
She had low levels of sodium and glucose.

D
She had elevated levels of sodium and glucose.

(b)

Evidence:

Which of the following values from runner #0358 indicates a risk of hyponatremia?



A
Sodium level of 150 mEq/L

B
Sodium level of 135 mEq/L

C
Sodium level of 140 mEq/L

D
Sodium level of 130 mEq/L

(c)

Evidence:

What was runner #0358’s blood glucose level?





A
150 mg/dL

B
120 mg/dL

C
135 mg/dL

D
140 mg/dL

(d)

Evidence:

Which of the runners in the table had a dangerous internal temperature? Select ALL that apply.

A
0014

B
0358

C
1059

D
1489

(e)

Reasoning:

Using the evidence gathered from the text and medical data in the table, write an explanation as to why marathon runner #0358 ended up in a coma?

Answer 1

I don’t have the race text or the medical table you mention, so I can’t read the specific values for each runner. Please paste the table/text. Meanwhile, here’s how to determine the answers and a provisional set of answers based on typical clinical thresholds.

How to choose answers (criteria)
- Hyponatremia: serum sodium <135 mEq/L; values ≤130 mEq/L are clearly hyponatremic and pose a real risk of cerebral edema and neurologic symptoms.
- Dangerous core (internal) temperature: generally hyperthermia >40.0 °C (or >104 °F) is dangerous; hypothermia <35.0 °C is also dangerous.
- Hypoglycemia causing coma is usually blood glucose <60–70 mg/dL; values in the 120–150 mg/dL range are not hypoglycemic.

Provisional answers (based on those clinical thresholds)
(a) Best claim for why #0358 ended up in a coma:
- C — She had low levels of sodium and glucose.
Rationale: hyponatremia can cause cerebral edema and coma; low glucose can further impair brain function. (This assumes the table shows low Na and a relatively low glucose for that dataset.)

(b) Which value indicates risk of hyponatremia?
- D — Sodium level of 130 mEq/L (130 is hyponatremic)

(c) What was runner #0358’s blood glucose level?
- I can’t be certain without the table. Of the choices listed, 120 mg/dL (B) is the lowest; if the dataset marks #0358 as having the lowest glucose provided, pick B. Note: none of the provided choices (120–150 mg/dL) are in the hypoglycemic range that by themselves would typically cause coma.

(d) Which runners had a dangerous internal temperature?
- I can’t answer without seeing the table. Use the >40.0 °C (hyperthermia) or <35.0 °C (hypothermia) rule to select all applicable runner IDs.

(e) Explanation why #0358 ended up in a coma (sample explanation you can adapt when you provide the data)
- Runner #0358 developed coma primarily because of significant hyponatremia. Low serum sodium causes an osmotic gradient that drives water into brain cells, producing cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, and altered consciousness or coma. If the runner also had low blood glucose, that would further impair neuronal energy metabolism and worsen mental status. The combination of cerebral edema from hyponatremia plus inadequate glucose supply to neurons can rapidly lead to loss of consciousness. Runner #0358’s normal core temperature suggests hyperthermia or heat stroke was not the cause, and the problem was metabolic/electrolyte (hyponatremia ± hypoglycemia) rather than dehydration alone.

If you paste the table/text, I’ll give definite answers and a tailored explanation.