Which lab change indicates the client is in septic shock?

• A. Blood glucose 80 mg/dL
• B. Increased serum lactate level
• C. Increased neutrophil level
• D. WBC 5000 cells/µL

Answer: (B)

An increased serum lactate level best indicates septic shock. When septic shock develops, widespread blood vessel dilation and leaky capillaries reduce effective tissue perfusion. Tissues struggle to receive enough oxygen, so they switch to anaerobic metabolism and produce more lactate, which enters the bloodstream. This rise in lactate reflects tissue hypoperfusion and helps gauge severity and prognosis in septic shock. The other lab values are not specific indicators of shock: a normal or low-normal glucose isn’t a hallmark of shock (stress responses can vary), neutrophil or WBC counts reflect infection status but not perfusion failure, and these alone don’t demonstrate the systemic hypoperfusion characteristic of septic shock.