S2D: The Symptom to Diagnosis Podcast Acid-Base Abnormalities
Dec 8, 2021
The podcast covers intriguing cases of acid-base abnormalities, debunking myths about Diabetic Ketoacidosis, and discussing the importance of serum lactate levels in infected patients. It also explores compensation mechanisms for acid-base imbalances and emphasizes the significance of arterial blood gases in medical testing.
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Diagnose Acid-Base Disorders: Step 1
- First, look at the pH to determine the primary disorder: acidosis (low pH) or alkalosis (high pH).
- Remember, compensation never goes beyond the 7.4 pH range.
Diagnose Acid-Base Disorders: Step 2
- Determine if it's respiratory or metabolic by checking PCO2 and bicarbonate.
- High PCO2 with acidosis indicates respiratory acidosis; low bicarbonate with acidosis means metabolic acidosis.
Diagnose Acid-Base Disorders: Step 3
- If it's metabolic acidosis, calculate the anion gap.
- Acid production (ketoacids, lactic acid) increases the anion gap; bicarbonate loss (diarrhea, RTA) results in a non-gap acidosis.