Lab Case 90 – Interpretation

70 year old man with vomiting, abdominal pain and tachycardia

  1. Blood gas:

pH normal

high HCO3

high CO2

high lactate

compensated metabolic alkalosis

dehydration

hyponatraemia and hypchloraemia secondary to vomiting

2. Renal failure – probably acute, potassium is normal but actual may be higher due to shift

Liver impairment – high bilirubin, ALT and GGT – ? secondary to alcohol abuse