Acid Base Disorders

Normal pH Range

7.35-7.45

PO₂ Range

80-100 mmHg

SaO₂ Value

95%

PCO₂ Range

35-45 mmHg

HCO₃^- Range

22-26 mEq/L

Decrease in bicarb (< 24) means

Metabolic acidosis

What would the compensation be for metabolic acidosis?

Respiratory alkalosis (decrease PCO₂ /hyperventilation)

Increased PCO₂ (> 40mmHg) means

Respiratory acidosis

What would be the compensation for respiratory acidosis?

Metabolic alkalosis (increased bicarb/renal RETENTION of bicarb)

Decrease in PCO₂ (< 40 mmHg) means

Respiratory alkalosis

Increase in HCO₃^- (> 24mEq/L) means

Metabolic alkalosis

What would be the compensation for respiratory alkalosis?

Metabolic acidosis (decrease in bicarb/renal EXCRETION of bicarb)

What would be the compensation for metabolic alkalosis?

Respiratory acidosis (increased PCO₂/hypoventilation)

T/F: Compensation for a respiratory acidosis is an increase in bicarb

True

TC is a 24-year-old male presenting to the emergency department with polyuria and polydipsia for 4 days. Also reports mild shortness of breath. Lab values include: Na+ 140, Cl- 104, K+ 6.1, HCO3- 6, SCr 1.4, glucose 600. ABG 7.17/17/88/6.

What is the primary acid-base disorder?

Acidemia because the pH is less than 7.35. We know this based on the ABG listing the pH as 7.17. Remember : ABG (pH/PCO₂/PO₂/HCO₃^-)

TC is a 24-year-old male presenting to the emergency department with polyuria and polydipsia for 4 days. Also reports mild shortness of breath. Lab values include: Na+ 140, Cl- 104, K+ 6.1, HCO3- 6, SCr 1.4, glucose 600. ABG 7.17/17/88/6.

What is the primary acid-base disorder?

A. Metabolic acidosis

B. Metabolic alkalosis

C. Respiratory acidosis

D. Respiratory alkalosis

Metabolic Acidosis (A) because the bicarb is less than 24 and we already determined acidemia previously.

When do you calculate the anion gap?

Only if metabolic acidosis is the primary problem