What could cause a chemistry panel to show high glucose with other electrolyte abnormalities if a sample was drawn from an arm with an active IV infusion?

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Contamination from an IV dextrose infusion is the key idea. If a blood sample is drawn from an arm that is actively infusing a glucose-containing solution, the IV fluid can mix with the blood in the sample. That can make glucose appear artificially high in the chemistry panel. Many IV fluids also carry electrolytes, so their composition can skew measured electrolyte levels as well, producing abnormal values that reflect the IV solution rather than the patient’s true physiology. This is why samples should be drawn from a limb without an active IV or after pausing or bypassing the IV line, to avoid pre-analytical interference. Hemolysis and lab error can cause different patterns, and recent sugar intake might raise glucose, but the combination of high glucose with electrolyte abnormalities specifically points to IV contamination.