Advanced arterial blood gas analysis in septic shock: a Singaporean nursing case review

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.

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.

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.

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.