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Discussion

Fluid and Acid-base Help needed

Hi all:

My objective question asks that I interpret a patient's acid-base status, given normal values.

My text states "normal value" being 20/1 (HCO3/CO2) (based on Henderson-hasselbalch equation)....gawd!!!:imbar

Now talk about confusing.....:crying2:

Can someone put it in layman's terms for me:

I do know the ph values for acidosis and alkalosis.

But since I have never seen a patient let alone their values (abnormal or not)....Can someone help me figure this out?

Thanks

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Hi all:

My objective question asks that I interpret a patient's acid-base status, given normal values.

My text states "normal value" being 20/1 (HCO3/CO2) (based on Henderson-hasselbalch equation)....gawd!!!:imbar

Now talk about confusing.....:crying2:

Can someone put it in layman's terms for me:

I do know the ph values for acidosis and alkalosis.

But since I have never seen a patient let alone their values (abnormal or not)....Can someone help me figure this out?

Thanks

A CO2 of 1 is not normal for a pediatric patient.

Think in terms of what you would expect if the child was normal. What ranges would you expect to see on a blood gas, whether it was arterial or venous/capillary.

Now, what if the child has been crying for the past hour, what would you expect and why? What happens when they are crying? What happens if they hold their breath?

Think about these questions, then I will help you with the next step....... :)

My text states "normal value" being 20/1 (HCO3/CO2) (based on Henderson-hasselbalch equation)....

This simply means that for the body to be in balance, there must be 20 molecules of bicarb (HCO3-) for every one molecule of carbonic acid (aka CO2 or H2CO3) - 20/1. Some texts will state H+ instead of the CO2 or H2CO3, that is for every one hydrogen ion in the body, there must be 20 molecules of bicarb. If the ratio decreases (number of bicarb goes down or number of acid goes up), then the body becomes acidotic. If the ratio increases (number of bicarb goes up or number of acid goes down), then the body becomes alkalotic.

Examples of acidotic states: respiratory depression (respiratory acidosis), constant diarrhea (metabolic acidosis - bowels are eliminating all of the bicarb. There is an easy way to remember this one, but will not post it here :rotfl: )

Examples of alkalotic states: anxiety/ panic (respiratory alkalosis - blowing off the CO2); nasogastric suctioning or vomiting (hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis).

http://medg.lcs.mit.edu/ftp/patil/PatilThesis81/Patil85.gif

http://medg.lcs.mit.edu/ftp/patil/PatilThesis81/Patil86.gif

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That explains it.......thanks Vicky!!

:balloons:

Try a google search. I found many abg tutorials that way.

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