Important Lab Values For Shock

Question 1

pH abnormal values

Answer 1

Less than 7.35 or greater than 7.45

Question 2

pH implications

Answer 2

Early shock pH is elevated, reflecting respiratory alkalosis. Late shock pH is decreased, reflecting metabolic acidosis

Question 3

PaCO2 normal values

Answer 3

35-45 mmHg

Question 4

PaCO2 implications

Answer 4

Early shock PaCO2 is decreased because of hyperventilation

Question 5

PaO2 normal values

Answer 5

80-100

Question 6

PaO2 implications

Answer 6

Decreased PaO2 indicates the development of complications such as ARDS

Question 7

Abnormal HCO3

Answer 7

Less than 22 mEq/L

Question 8

HCO3 implications

Answer 8

Decreased in late shock because of metabolic acidosis

Question 9

Abnormal base deficit

Answer 9

Less than –2 mEq/L

Question 10

Base deficit implications

Answer 10

Sustained negative levels reflect the severity of shock.

Question 11

Abnormal Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2)

Answer 11

Less than 60%

Question 12

Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) implications

Answer 12

Decreased SvO2 indicates increased oxygen extraction at the tissue level, indicating decreased oxygen delivery.

Question 13

Abnormal lactate

Answer 13

Greater than 2 mg/dL

Question 14

Lactate implications

Answer 14

Increased values indicate the presence of anaerobic metabolism.

Question 15

Abnormal hemoglobin

Answer 15

Less than 11.7 g/dL

Question 16

Hemoglobin implications

Answer 16

Decreased levels indicate blood loss and decreased oxygen-carrying capacity

Question 17

Abnormal hematocrit

Answer 17

Less than 38%

Question 18

Hematocrit implications

Answer 18

Decreased values indicate blood loss.

Question 19

Abnormal glucose

Answer 19

Less than 70 mg/dL or greater than 105 mg/dL

Question 20

Glucose implications

Answer 20

In the absence of diabetes, increased values indicate the initiation of fight-or-flight compensatory mechanisms.

Question 21

Abnormal BUN

Answer 21

Greater than 21 mg/dL

Question 22

BUN Implications

Answer 22

Increased values indicate renal hypoperfusion

Question 23

Abnormal creatinine

Answer 23

Greater than 1.2 mg/dL

Question 24

Creatinine implications

Answer 24

Increased values indicate acute renal failure.

Question 25

Abnormal Aspartate aminotransferase

Answer 25

Greater than 20 units/L

Question 26

Aspartate aminotransferase implications

Answer 26

Increased values indicate hepatic injury.

Question 27

Abnormal Lactic dehydrogenase

Answer 27

Greater than 102 units/L

Question 28

Lactic dehydrogenase implications

Answer 28

Increased values indicate hepatic injury.