Acid base II

Question 1

what is winter’s formula used to assess? what value does it provide?

Answer 1

• to assess appropriateness of the respiratory compensation in a state of metabolic acidosis
• provides an expected value for the patient’s pCO2

Question 2

if winter’s formula measured pCO2 is HIGHER than the calculated value, what does that mean? LOWER?

Answer 2

• higher: primary respiratory acidosis

- lower: primary respiratory alkalosis

Question 3

what is the delta ratio? when is it used?

Answer 3

• change in anion gap / change in HCO3-

- used to assess for a mixed disorder after a metabolic acidosis has been determined

Question 4

what does a delta ratio under 2 mean? over 2?

Answer 4

• delta under 2: single disorder

- delta over 2: mixed disorder; underlying metabolic alkalosis is present