What Lab Am I?
Normal range 7.35–7.45; determines acid-base balance.
What is pH?
Major burns trigger increased catecholamines and this hormone, driving protein catabolism.
What is cortisol?
A conscious patient with glucose 48 mg/dL should receive this immediate intervention
What is 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrates?
This hormone medication lowers blood glucose by increasing cellular uptake of glucose.
What is insulin?
This life-threatening condition occurs when the body produces ketones due to lack of insulin.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis/DKA?
Elevated in sepsis and indicates tissue hypoxia.
What is lactate or lactic acid?
In prolonged starvation, the brain adapts to using this primary alternative fuel source.
What are ketone bodies/fats?
Before starting an insulin drip in DKA, the nurse must assess this electrolyte.
What is potassium?
This first line, oral diabetic medication decreases hepatic glucose production and improves insulin sensitivity.
What is metformin?
What is myxedema coma?
Low levels in DKA may appear normal initially due to acidosis shifting this electrolyte out of cells.
What is potassium?
In prolonged hypermetabolic states, persistent ATP depletion leads to dysfunction of this membrane pump, resulting in cellular swelling.
What is the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump?
A septic patient with MAP 50 requires this priority intervention.
What is fluid resuscitation with IV crystalloids?
Beta-blockers may mask this early adrenergic symptom of hypoglycemia, increasing risk for delayed recognition.
What is tachycardia?
This endocrine disorder causes increased metabolic rate, weight loss, and heat intolerance.
What is hyperthyroidism?
An anion gap greater than 12 suggests accumulation of these unmeasured acids.
What are organic acids (lactate or ketones)?
Severe hypophosphatemia impairs ATP production and leads to failure of this respiratory process.
What is diaphragmatic contraction (ventilation)?
A malnourished patient beginning tube feeds should have nutrition initiated using this strategy to prevent refeeding syndrome
What is starting low and advancing slowly?
Chronic corticosteroid therapy increases blood glucose primarily by stimulating this metabolic process in the liver.
What is gluconeogenesis?
Metabolic disorder characterized by hypertension, hyperglycemia, high triglycerides, and truncal obesity.
What is metabolic syndrome?
pH 7.38, PaCO₂ 60, HCO₃⁻ 35 represents this acid-base state
What is compensated respiratory acidosis?
A patient with extensive burns develops muscle wasting and negative nitrogen balance. This would indicate.
What is protein catabolism?
A ventilated patient with metabolic acidosis requires this respiratory adjustment to assist compensation.
What is increasing respiratory rate/expelling excess CO₂?
A patient with septic shock remains hypotensive despite fluids. This first-line vasopressor improves perfusion by stimulating alpha-1 receptors and increasing systemic vascular resistance.
What is norepinephrine/levophed?
An inborn error of metabolism where the body lacks the enzyme to break down phenylalanine, leading to its buildup in the bloodstream.
What is phenylketonuria/ PKU?