Septic Shock and Labs???

[Sweeti738]

i am trying to complete my labs for a client with septic shock and i'm having a lot of trouble. i know almost all of the abnormal labs are caused by the septic shock, but i have to be more specific and explain why the shock causes them to be abnormal. i have a little start can someone point me in the right direction?

:confused:

ast and alt are high because the shock caused cellular death and these were released

alk phos and total bili are high because the shock caused liver damage because of hypoxia and cpr could have caused liver damage as well

total protein and albumin are low because septic shock causes the kidneys not to be perfused

calcium is low because the albumin is low and it has nothing to bind to

creatinine and bun are high because the kidneys are hypoxic and not functioning properly

glucose i'm not sure why the shock causes it to be high but i know that it is caused by the shock

sodium and chloride are low due to hepatic failure from hypoxia

potassium was high and is now low i think it was high but i don't know why it would be low now

carbon dioxide was 7 and is now 17 could that be because of dehydration

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

What is Sepsis? I think you will find this very helpful.Lab Test Interpretation this talks about labs

This is about labs as well and very good. index

http://www.survivingsepsis.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/2008%20Pocket%20Guides.pdf

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

sepsis means the cells do not get enough blood flow (oxygen) so they go into anerobic metabolism. what does that do to your bicarb? why?

[fiveofpeep]

Your glucose is elevated in shock because of the gluconeogenic effect of endogenous epinephrine released in the shock state.

For the K:

Has the patient been diuresing a lot? Did they get any lasix? Have they been dialyzed? Did they get any potassium-reducing agents?

What's the ABG look like? I'd rather see that for the CO2,