Your clients lab values are sodium 166 mEq/L, potassium 5.0 mEq/L, chloride 115 mEq/L, and bicarbonate 35 mEq/L. What condition is this client likely to have, judging by anion gap?
A) Metabolic acidosis
B) Respiratory alkalosis
C) Metabolic alkalosis
D) Respiratory acidosis

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The anion gap can be calculated by subtracting the sum of chloride and bicarbonate from the sum of sodium and potassium. In this case, the anion gap would be 16 (166 + 5 - 115 - 35 = 21; 21 - 5 = 16). This increase in anion gap suggests that there are additional unmeasured anions in the blood, which is commonly seen in cases of metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the client is likely to have metabolic acidosis.

Your Clients Lab Values Are Sodium 166 MEq/L, Potassium 5