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Chances are you order a urine dip or urinalysis on a good number of your patients each shift. But how good are these tests at helping us diagnose a urinary tract infection? The short answer: not fantastic. Let’s continue, focusing on the “official UA”.  When looking at the UA results to determine if a patientRead more

Clinical Scenario: 28 yo F with unknown medical history presents with multiple seizures. Routine BMP shows hyponatremia to 110. What is your next step for symptomatic hyponatremia? Causes of hyponatremia: Hypervolemic Hyponatremia: congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic renal failure Euvolemic Hyponatremia: SIADH, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency Hypovolemic Hyponatreamia: fluid loss via the gastrointestinal tract, diuretics, renalRead more

You have a patient who is in acute renal failure. You have sent an ER-venous panel that shows a Cr of 4.6, a BUN of 95, and a K of 6.5. You discuss these findings with your nephrology colleagues who request you get the “more accurate” basic metabolic panel. But is it?   Answer: ItRead more