Acid/base buffers

[purplekath]

Well I'm studying for my final this week and the only thing I'm really struggling with is working out whether acidosis or alkalosis is likely to be metabolic or respiratory (based on the blood gases), and how all those buffers work (eg: bicarbonate/phosphate/protein etc)!!

I read it and read it...but it just doesn't sink in no matter how many times I read it. I think I may have run out of brain space! lol

Do you guys have any cool ways of explaining these? Thanks!

[suzanne4, RN]

Well I'm studying for my final this week and the only thing I'm really struggling with is working out whether acidosis or alkalosis is likely to be metabolic or respiratory (based on the blood gases), and how all those buffers work (eg: bicarbonate/phosphate/protein etc)!!

I read it and read it...but it just doesn't sink in no matter how many times I read it. I think I may have run out of brain space! lol

Do you guys have any cool ways of explaining these? Thanks!

Send me your e-mail and I will send you the article that I use with my students. They say that it helps quite a bit......... :)

[purplekath]

Thanks heaps! I have sent you a PM with my email addy. I'm DETERMINED to get this under my belt TODAY! lol

[prmenrs, RN]

http://www.icufaqs.org/

This might have some answers for you. Good Luck on the test!!

[purplekath]

This might have some answers for you. Good Luck on the test!!

Thanks heaps!!

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I personally use a rule of thumb that I find very easy and quick to determine the acid/base balance - I wrote a thread on this over in the iCU forum.