Mark Klimek Revised Notes

Mark Klimek Revised Notes

ACID BASE BALANCE

RULE OF THE B’S

1. If the pH and the Bicarb are in the same direction  METABOLIC

2. If the pH and the Bicarb are in different directions  RESPIRATORY

Examples:

pH 7.25 (v)

HCO3 20 (v)

Metabolic Acidosis

pH 7.21 (v)

HCO3 38 (^)

Respiratory Acidosis

pH 7.50 (^)

HCO3 30 (^)

Metabolic Alkalosis

pH 7.50 (^)

HCO3 25 (normal) Respiratory

Alkalosis (NORMAL)

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Know the principles, not the lists.

PRINCIPLE: “As the pH goes, so does my patient, except for potassium”

ALKALOSIS (^) ACIDOSIS (v)

Hyperreflexia Headache

Irritability Hyporeflexia

Tachypnea Bradycardia

Tachycardia Bradypnea