investigations

Last reviewed 01/2018

These include:

  • full blood count, since there may be marrow suppression
  • urea and electrolytes; there may be hyponatraemia
  • blood cultures to rule out sepsis
  • blood gas analysis
  • liver function and clotting studies
  • specific metabolic investigations:
    • lactate, followed by pyruvate if lactate is raised
    • ammonia - which should be discussed with a laboratory in advance since special tubes and speedy analysis are needed
    • urine for ketones, organic acids and amino acids, and bicarbonate