Causes of ACID/BASE mismatch

Question 1

Causes of Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 1

Hypoventilation in:

• Lung Disease (COPD, severe asthma, pulmonary Oedema)
• CNS depression
• Mechanical lung dysfunction (obesity, guillian Barre, myesthenia gravis)

Question 2

Causes of Respiratory Alkalosis?

Answer 2

Hyperventilation:

• anxiety
• hypoxia
• acute pulmonary insult (eg PE, pneumonia, asthma attack, pulmonary oedema)

Question 3

Causes of Metabolic Acidosis?

Answer 3

Check Anion Gap = (NA + K)-(CL + HCO3)

Normal = 3-12

INCREASED ANION GAP = new acid added to the body:

Question 4

What things increase the Anion Gap? ie adds acid to the body?

Answer 4

MUDPILES:

• Methanol
• Uraemia
• DKA
• Propylene glycol
• Iron/isoniazide
• Lactate
• Ethylene
• Salicylates

Question 5

What things decrease the Anion Gap? ie reduces acid in the body?