Acid Base Disorders

Definitions

Normal values

General Approach to Diagnosis

1. Look at the pH. What is the primary process occurring? 

2. Assess the degree/chronicity of compensation present. 

3. If there is a metabolic acidosis, assess the anion gap. 

Practice with ABG's here. 

                                                                                                From Berend et al, NEJM 2014

Treatment

Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause as while extreme alterations in pH can potentially cause cellular and protein dysfunction (ie myocardial depression), it is critical to address the underlying cause to ultimately correct the derangement.