Acid and Base Balance and Imbalance

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Slide 45

Diagnosis of Acid-Base Imbalances

Note whether the pH is low (acidosis) or high (alkalosis)

Decide which value, pCO2 or HCO3- , is outside the normal range and could be the cause of the problem. If the cause is a change in pCO2, the problem is respiratory. If the cause is HCO3- the problem is metabolic.

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Slide 46

3. Look at the value that doesn’t correspond to the observed pH change. If it is inside the normal range, there is no compensation occurring. If it is outside the normal range, the body is partially compensating for the problem.

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Slide 47

Example

A patient is in intensive care because he suffered a severe myocardial infarction 3 days ago. The lab reports the following values from an arterial blood sample:

pH 7.3

HCO3- = 20 mEq / L ( 22 - 26)

pCO2 = 32 mm Hg (35 - 45)

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Slide 48

Diagnosis

Metabolic acidosis

With compensation

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Slide 49

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