A 65-year-old man is admitted to the intensive care unit from the operating room after a triple coronary artery bypass graft. He is intubated and on a ventilator. Lactic acid levels were normal postoperatively, but now they are rising. The increased level could be an indication of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rising lactic acid levels can indicate tissue hypoperfusion or hypoxia, which is often seen in conditions like bowel ischemia.

A 65-Year-Old Man Is Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit