Acid base

pH

• Normal: 7.35-7.45

• Decrease in pH/ Increase in H⁺: Acidic

• Increase in pH/ Decrease in H⁺: Basic

HCO3

• basic

• Normal: 22-26

• <22: Loss of HCO₃^- (acidosis)

• >26: Increase in HCO₃^- (alkalosis)

CO2

• acidic

• Normal: 35-45

• >45: Increase in CO₂ (acidosis)

• <35: Decrease in CO₂ (alkalosis)

Respiratory alkalosis

• Primary cause: decreased CO2

  • compensation: decreased HCO3 / increased pH

• hyperventilation

• anxiety, aspirin

Respiratory acidosis

• primary cause: increased CO2

  • compensation: increased HCO3 / decreased pH

• hypoventalation / shallow breathing

• Benzos, COPD pneumonia, CHF,

Metabolic alkalosis

• primary cause: increased HCO3