ACID-BASE ANALYSIS-STEP 1

1. Is the patient acidemic or alkalemic? Serum pH < 7.35 defines acidemia. Serum pH > 7.45 defines alkalemia.

2. The primary disturbance can be metabolic or respiratory in etiology.

3. The main extracellular buffer is bicarbonate, and its primary job is to combine with acids to neutralize them and keep the blood pH stable.

4. It follows, then, that for every 1 increase in an acidic anion in the blood, the bicarbonate level should reduce by 1 (because of the neutralization).

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