Acid base problems


Identifying the Primary Disorder

There are four primary abnormalities of acid-base balance:

  • Metabolic acidosis

  • Metabolic alkalosis

  • Respiratory acidosis

  • Respiratory alkalosis

These can be differentiated on the basis of changes in pH, serum [HCO3-] and pCO2.

  pH serum [HCO3] pCO2
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis


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