Discussion
Tuesday February 9, 1999 - Question 4
The physician communicates the following clinical laboratory information to you regarding the previously presented case. In addition to the previously reported electrolytes (Na+ 140 mEq/L, K+ 2.5 mEq/L, Cl- 105 mEq/L, HCO3- 7 mEq/L), the following laboratory values are available to you: blood glucose 100 mg/dl, SCr 1.0 mg/dl and BUN 14 mg/dl.
Which of the following statements about the osmolal gap is correct?
A. Serum creatinine is required for determination
of the osmolal gap.
B. A normal osmolal gap rules out the possibility
of an ethylene glycol exposure.
C. In some patients, the osmolal gap may be negative.
D. The osmolal gap can be determined based on
the case information provided above.
E. Vapor point elevation is the preferred method
of measuring osmolality of the serum.