University:
Western Sydney University
Course:
MEDI 2003 | Clinical Sciences 2
Academic year:

2024
Views:

59

Pages:

2
Author:

Mariam A.

Acid base disorders  Thus metabolic acid-base disorders involve altered HCO3- concentration while respiratory acid-base disorders involved altered pCO2. You can have combinations of the above disorders though Anion gap A measurement that is useful in the diagnosis of acid-base disorders is the anion gap of plasma (or simply anion gap). The anion gap is based on the principle of electroneutrality: For any body fluid compartment such as plasma, the concentration of cations and anions must be equal. In routine analysis of plasma, some cations and anions are measured and others are not. The cation that usually is measured is Na+; the anions that usually are measured are HCO3- and Cl-. When the Na+ concentration (in mEq/L) is compared with the sum of the HCO3− and Cl− concentrations (in mEq/L), there is an anion gap; that is, the Na+ concentration is greater than the sum of the HCO3 − concentration and the Cl− concentration. Because electroneutrality is never violated, plasma must contain unmeasured anions that make up this difference, or “gap.” The unmeasured anions of plasma include plasma proteins, phosphate, citrate, and sulfate. Metabolic acidosis  This condition is characterised by a high anion gap, although there may also be a normal AG (hyperchloraemic). Metabolic alkalosis  There can be several causes for metabolic alkalosis: o Vomiting or nasogastric suction o Over-administration of antacids o Loop/thiazide diuretics o Primary mineralcorticoid excess o Hypokalaemia (intracellular shift of hydrogen) o Massive diuresis o Sweat losses Respiratory Acidosis  This involves a decreased respiratory drive, which can be the result of drugs or CNS disorders which involve hypoventilation (e.g. lung diseases or respiratory muscle/nerve diseases such as myasthenia gravis and botulism). Respiratory Alkalosis  This is mainly brought on by hyperventilation, which can be caused by: o Anxiety/shock o Severe infection or fever o Liver failure o Pneumonia, pulmonary congestion or an embolism