The full version of this article was first published at: Acid Base Imbalances Made Easy with Picmonic
Learn the basics of how to interpret acid base imbalances in these 3 steps, and QUIZ YOURSELF FOR FREE and test your knowledge! Watch Kendall teach basics of how to interpret Acid Base Imbalances. [embedded content] Read and learn the basics of how to interpret acid base imbalances in these 3 steps* 1. Memorize the normal lab values pH: 7.35-7.45pCO2: 35-45 mmHgHCO3: 22-26 mmHg Helpful Hint: Look at the numbers .35 and .45 in the pH levels. Looks pretty similar to the lab values of 35-45 in pCO2, right? You’ve already got two lab values memorized right there! Once you’ve got those lab values memorized, it’s easy to recognize what is abnormal. Now, if a patient’s pH falls below 7.35, they are in a state of acidosis. If the patient’s pH is above 7.45, the patient would be in a state of alkalosis. 2. Figure out what kind of acidosis or alkalosis our patient is in: respiratory or metabolic? Here, we first look at the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in the blood. CO2 is acidic in the body and is regulated through respiration. Think breathing. We blow off CO2 with every breath. A good little trick here is to look at the pH and see what direction it’s going (up or down), and then look at the CO2 and see what direction that’s going. If they are going in the opposite directions, then we have ourselves a patient with a respiratory disorder. That’s where you take part one…
Read More: Acid Base Imbalances Made Easy with Picmonic