A 82-year-old man is brought to the emergency department because of muscle weakness and general discomfort. The patient is confused and says he has a headache, he feels thirsty, and that he has not urinated for the past 4 days. He lives with his son and his family, and says that he does the same thing every day, which is watching TV and stay in his room. His temperature is 39.5°C (103.1°F), pulse is 110/min, respirations are 14/min, and blood pressure is 90/65 mm Hg. Physical examination shows purple fingernails. Which of the following is the most likely cause of muscle weakness in this patient's condition?

Rhabdomyolysis | Osmosis

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged skeletal striated muscle breaks down rapidly. Breakdown products of damaged muscle cells are released into the bloodstream; some of these, such as the protein myoglobin, are harmful to the kidneys and may lead to kidney failure. Symptoms may include muscle pains, vomiting, and confusion, with severity dependent on the extent of muscle damage and renal impairment.

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Rhabdomyolysis

Pathology

Musculoskeletal system

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