Multiple electrolyte imbalances and mixed acid-base disorder posing a diagnostic dilemma: a case report

ConclusionBoth patient history and laboratory analysis have a role in identifying and confirming a diagnosis. In cases in which laboratory tests are incongruous with reported history, making a unifying diagnosis can be challenging or delayed. The importance of taking a comprehensive history cannot be overemphasized, but history provided by patients may be prone to intentional or unintentional distortion, whereas laboratory findings are more objective. The case presented underscores why the lab findings should be given credence in cases in which there is discordance between lab results and the provided patient history.
Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research