ABGs Flashcards
Which of the two systems is the most powerful compensator of metabolic inbalances?
Metabolic
What is the normal pH range?
7.35-7.45
At what level does the optimal level of acid/base dissociation occur?
K
Why is the bicarbonate the main buffer system in the body?
There is dual control via volatile gas (CO2) and renal control of bicarb and H+
Name 5 other buffers in the body
NB - 3 main categories
BBS, Hb, intracellular protein, plasma proteins, phosphate,
What is the Henderson-Hasselback equation?
pH = pKa (6.37) + logHCO3-/0.03xpCO2
How do you work out HCO3 levels?
Derive from HH equation, you can’t get it from the ABG directly.
What is the base excess?
amount of moles os stron acid required to back titrate 1 litre of blood to correct pH….finish…
Normal pCO2 levels?
4.5 - 5.8kPa
Normal pO2 levels?
11-13 kPa
Normaly HCO3- levels
22-28
Normal base excess?
-2 to +2 mmol/L
Normal anion gap?
10-14
Normal chloride levels?
98-107
Name 2 potential causes of a primary respiratory alkalosis?
PE, pneumonia
What are normal Na+ levels?
135-145
What is main cause of primary metabolic alkalosis?
Loss of acid in vomiting
What is the anion gap? And which anions are the cause of it?
The unmeasured anion gap
(because blood tests measure most cations but only a few anions)
Na+ - (Cl- + HCO3-)
The unmeasured anions are intracellular (and??)
How do you correct the anion gap for albumin?
Corrected AG = AG + [0.25 x (40 - [alb])]
CAUSES of high AG metabolic acidosis
…
Normal causes normal AG metabolic acidosis
….
When would you look at the anion gap?
If the patient is acidotic but CO2 seems to be normal ?