Isopropanol toxicity presents with which combination?

• A. Somnolence/coma with metabolic acidosis
• B. Somnolence/coma with normal acid-base
• C. Visual disturbances
• D. Severe pancreatitis

Answer: (B)

The main concept is how isopropanol affects the body and its acid-base profile. Isopropanol causes central nervous system depression, leading to somnolence or coma. Unlike many other alcohols, its major metabolite, acetone, is not acidic, so it does not produce a significant metabolic acidosis. Patients often have an elevated osmolal gap, but the acid-base status remains normal. Visual disturbances point more toward methanol or ethylene glycol toxicity, and pancreatitis is not a typical feature of isopropanol poisoning. Therefore, the presentation that best fits is somnolence or coma with a normal acid-base status.