Question

The client's 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?

Answer 1

Answer: metabolic acidosis.

Explanation:

Anion Gap(AG) is the difference between positively charged ions and negatively charged ions. It is usually expressed in milliequivalents per litre of millimoles per litres.

Anion Gap is measured or calculated when there is a need to know the cause of metabolic acidosis. To

Anion Gap can be calculated with or without potassium.

(1). With potassium= ([Na^+] + [K^+]) − ([Cl^−] + [HCO^−3]).

From the question; client's lab values are sodium 166 mEq/L, potassium 5.0 mEq/L, chloride 115 mEq/L, and bicarbonate 35 mEq/L.

Slotting in the values, we have;

==>[ (166+5) - (115+35)] mEq/L.

(2). Without potassium:

==> [Na^+] - ([Cl^−] + [HCO^−3]).

==> [(166) - 115 + (35)] mEq/L

Normal Anion gap is 20 mEq/L(Calculating with Potassium) and 8-16 mEq/L (calculating without potassium).