Lab Case 105

A 64 year old man presents with shortness of breath and feeling unwell for 3 days.

His blood results show:pH 7.25  (7.36-7.44)

pCO2 28 (35-45 mmHg)

HCO3 12  (24+/-2)

BE -14

Na 137 (137-145 mmol/l)

K 4.3 (3.4-5.0 mmol/l)

Cl 104 (99-111 mmol/l)

Questions:

Describe and interpret the blood test

What bedside tests would you do?