Q: Which one caveat makes reading of lactic acidosis unreliable in ethylene glycol toxicity?


Answer: Many laboratory equipment cannot distinguish lactate from glycolate (a metabolite of ethylene glycol) as they both are structurally similar. It would be appropriate to make clear with lab personnel directly, and go with other parameters and clinical situation of  a patient.


Reference:

Pernet P, Bénéteau-Burnat B, Vaubourdolle M, et al. False elevation of blood lactate reveals ethylene glycol poisoning. Am J Emerg Med 2009; 27:132.e1.