| Physical examination: | ![]() |
|||||||
|
||||||||
| The pulse is difficult to palpate and his extremities are cold. He is very depressed and is in sternal recumbency. You assess his degree of dehydration as 8%. You obtain the following laboratory data: |
| PARAMETERS | NORMAL VALUES | ACTUAL VALUES |
|---|---|---|
| PCV | 32 - 53% | 63% |
| TP | 6 - 7.7 gm/dl | 5.0 gm/dl |
| Na | 132 - 146 mEq/l | 120 mEq/l |
| K | 3 - 5 mEq/l | 2.5 mEq/l |
| Cl | 98 - 110 mEq/l | 95 mEq/l |
| Albumin | 2.9 - 3.8 mg/dl | 1.9 mg/dl |
| pH | 7.32 - 7.46 | 7.20 (venous) |
| pCO2 | 38 - 46 mm Hg | 30 mm Hg |
| HCO3 | 23 - 32 mEq/l | 14.0 mEq/l |
| WBC | 5.4 - 14.3 X 109/l | 3.2 X 109/l |
| Segmented PMNs | 2.3 - 8.6 X 109/l | 0.9 X 109/l |
| Band PMNs | 0 - 0.1 X 109/l | 0.9 X 109/l |