A clinical approach to acid-base disorders

Abstract

This paper presents a clinical approach to disorders of acid-base balance. A proper interpretation of theacid-base status requires knowledge of the clinical setting integrated with laboratory results. The pHvalue determines the primary disorder: metabolic or respiratory acidosis, if the pH is less than 7.40;metabolic or respiratory alkalosis, if the pH is greater than 7.40. If the anion gap is greater than 20 mEq/L, a metabolic acidosis is present regardless of the pH value or plasma bicarbonate concentration.Absence of the expected compensatory response to a primary disorder indicates the presence of amixed disorder.