Acidosis in Poisoning

Acidosis in Poisoning

Overview

  • Acidosis can be categorized into 3 types (MRL):

    • Metabolic Acidosis

      • An overproduction of acid that builds up in the blood or an excessive loss of bicarbonate from the blood.

    • Respiratory Acidosis

      • A buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood that results from poor lung function or depressed breathing.

    • Lactic Acidosis

      • A buildup of lactic acid in the blood caused by a severe medical illness in which blood pressure is low and too little oxygen is reaching the body's tissues.

Mechanisms of Acidosis (L-B/I-A)

  1. Loss of Base

    • Results in reduction of pH and CO2 combining power.

    • Caused by (VDU):

      • Vomiting

      • Diarrhea

      • Urinary excretion during alkalosis from respiratory stimulation

  2. Increase in Acid

    • Results in reduction of pH.

    • Caused by (MRR):

      • Metabolism of poisons to acid intermediates (P-AI) (e.g., Methanol to Formic Acid)

      • Retention of Carbonic Acid during respiratory depression (CA-RD)

      • Retention of metabolic acids during anuria from renal damage (MA-A-RD)

Key Point

  • In both mechanisms, arterial pH is less than the normal 7.4.