The nurse is assessing a septic patient with hypotension and tachycardia. The nurse reviews the patient's lab results and expects an elevation of
Explanation
• Lactate (or lactic acid) is elevated in sepsis due to low tissue perfusion and oxygenation. This causes the creation of energy through anaerobic metabolism, which forms lactic acid as a waste product.
• Sepsis is not associated with an increase in troponin-I, platelets, or ammonia.