Lab Case 182- Interpretation- back to basics

A 70 year old with acute shortness of breath.

Blood tests show:Acute compensated raised anion gap metabolic acidosis

severe hyperkalemia – protect myocardium, reduce K and check renal function

total body K likely normal – shift due to acidaemia

Other causes – ketones, lactate, renal failure, toxins

delta ratio = 0.7, consider HAGMA and NAGMA however AG is often less than 0.8 in renal failure

This patient’s Creatinine was >1000 – requires dialysis