Additional Tests/Examination

Additional tests/examination

If required, additional tests may be performed as indicated:

• blood tests:
  • to determine the degree of dehydration, renal impairment, and/or potassium loss: serum urea, serum creatinine, serum potassium
  • to determine hypercalcaemia:
    • total calcium: in the case of low serum albumin, correct using the formula:
      corrected Ca = serum calcium + 1.0 - (0.025 x serum albumin)
    • or Ca2+ (correction for low serum albumin not necessary)
  • if hyponatraemia is suspected: serum sodium
  • with dysregulated diabetes mellitus: glucose
• urine analysis if cystitis is suspected
• diagnostic imaging:
  • if constipation or ileus is suspected: abdominal X-ray, CT scan of the abdomen, X-ray of small intestines using gastrographin
  • if gastric or duodenal obstruction, liver metastases, ascites, or peritonitis carcinomatous is suspected: abdominal ultrasound or CT scan
  • if neurological causes are suspected: brain MRI, possibly CT scan with contrast, lumbar puncture
• if gastritis, ulcer, tumour, or gastric or duodenal compression or obstruction is suspected: gastroscopy