Metabolic alkalosis
HCO3 increase
PCO2 increase
Summary of Expected Compensation for Simple Acid-Base Disorders
Primary disorder Respiratory acidosis Initial chemical change PCO2 increase Compensatory response HCO3 increase Expected range of compensation Acute (H+) = 0.8 (PCO2) HCO3 = PCO2 /10 Chronic (H+) = 0.3 (PCO2) HCO3 = 3.5 x PCO2 /10 Acute (H+) = 0.8 (PCO2) HCO3 = 2 x PCO2 /10 Chronic (H+) = 0.17 (PCO2) HCO3 = 5 x PCO2 /10
Acute Respiratory Acidosis
Arterial Gas Value pH PCO2* HCO3 7.25 60 mmHg 26 mmol/L Interpretation Acidemia Respiratory acidosis Normal HCO3
Causes Central nervous system (CNS) depression – drugs, CNS event Neuromuscular disorders – myopathies, neuropathies Acute airway obstruction – upper airway, laryngospasm, bronchospasm Severe pneumonia or pulmonary edema Impaired lung motion – hemothorax, pneumothorax Thoracic cage injury – flail chest Ventilator dysfunction *This is the primary abnormality