Acid-Base Disorder Scenarios

CO2 + H2O decrease

H+ increase

HCO3- decrease (comes first; bolded)

metabolic acidosis

respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis

hyperventilation

renal compensation or correction for metabolic acidosis

increase HCO3- reabsorption (correction)

increase CO2

decrease H+

increase HCO3- (comes first; bolded)

metabolic alkalosis

respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis

hypoventilation

renal compensation or correction for metabolic alkalosis

increase HCO3- excretion (correction)

increase CO2 (comes first; bolded)

increase H+

increase HCO3-

respiratory acidosis

respiratory compensation for respiratory acidosis

none

renal compensation or correction for respiratory acidosis

increase HCO3- reabsorption (compensation)

decrease CO2 (comes first)

decrease H+

decrease HCO3-

respiratory alkalosis

respiratory compensation for respiratory alkalosis

none

renal compensation or correction for respiratory alkalosis

decrease HCO3- reabsorption (compensation)

metabolic acidosis primary disturbance and compensation

primary disturbance: decrease [HCO3-]

compensation: decrease PCO2

metabolic alkalosis primary disturbance and compensation

primary disturbance: increase [HCO3-]

compensation: increase PCO2

acute and chronic respiratory acidosis primary disturbance and compensation

primary disturbance: increase PCO2

compensation: increase [HCO3-]

acute and chronic respiratory alkalosis primary disturbance and compensation

primary disturbance: decrease PCO2

compensation: decrease [HCO3-]