title: Advanced arterial blood gas analysis in septic shock: a Singaporean nursing case review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The admission to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of sepsis and/or septic shock is not uncommon. The aim of this article is to present a nursing case review of a patient admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of septic shock and the use of bedside acid-base formulae to inform clinical decision making.
  
  
  METHODS
  We chose to use a case review. This method is useful in reporting unusual or rare cases and is typically seen more in medicine than in nursing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The gentleman in question was a self-presentation with a short history of fever and worsening shortness of breath. His condition worsened where he required admission to the intensive care unit. The use of 'advanced' acid-base interpretation to guide his nursing care provided a platform from which to advance a deeper understanding of the intricacies the critically ill patient often presents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of case review is enlightening in understanding the disease process and the decision-making that accompanies this. The lessons learnt are applicable to a wider nursing audience because understanding acid-base physiology is beneficial in supporting and advancing critical care nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Western Institute of Technology Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand. mchristensen64@me.com
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D016638:Critical Illness; D003657:Decision Making; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates