Lab Case 118 – Interpretation

A 35 year old with likely post op knee infection presents withThe blood tests show:

hypochloraemic

hypokalaemic

metabolic alkalosis

appropriate respiratory compensation

classically seen in severe vomiting (and gastric outlet obstruction) with fluid depletion (dehydration). Young man unlikely to have endocrine cause.

Anion gap = low normal – no additional metabolic component

He requires Potassium replacement, fluid, symptom management and referral for his knee infection