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Serum lactate levels are frequently measured in patients with undifferentiated conditions in emergency departments. This article uses a case-based reflection to critically analyse the role of lactate measurement in these patients. It examines the rationale for testing, and the potential causes of raised levels, to remind clinicians that this diagnostic intervention must be taken in the context of patients' clinical presentations and not in isolation.
Emergency Nurse. 24, 5, 25-29. doi: 10.7748/en.2016.e1589
Correspondence Peer reviewAll articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 28 April 2016
Accepted: 19 July 2016
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