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Investigations

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Authoring team

Investigations should be appropriate to the severity of the condition in a particular patient. They include:

Blood tests:

  • coagulation studies, glucose, and potassium as soon as possible
  • full blood count, group and save, bilirubin, albumin, AST, amylase
  • hepatitis serology, paracetamol levels, serum copper and caeruloplasmin, plus 24 hour copper where appropriate

Radiology:

  • chest radiograph
  • ultrasound scan of liver and pancreas

Others:

  • blood cultures, even if the patient is afebrile
  • arterial blood gases - a CNS induced respiratory alkalosis or metabolic acidosis may occur
  • ECG

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