Lab case 342

20 year old man presented with increasing tiredness. His venous blood gases showed the following:

PH = 7.255

pCO2 = 40 mmHg

HCO3 = 19 mmol/L

Na = 146 mmol/L

K = 2.7 mmol/L

Cl = 118 mmol/L

Glucose = 4.2 mmol/L

Lactate = 1.9 mmol/L

Creatinine = 49 umol/L

 Questions:

  • Interpret these results
  • How will you manage this patient
  • What is your approach to diagnose the cause of hypokalaemia?