| Question | Answer |
| What do we call a condition of low arterial pH, reduced plasma HC03 concentration, and usually compensatory alveolar hyper-ventilation resulting in decreased PCO2? | Metabolic Acidosis |
| Metabolic acidosis can be due to increased
acid production, decreased acid elimination, or ? | Aspirin overdose - acetylsalicylic acid poisoning
(accidental or otherwise). |
| This is estimated by subtracting the sum of the Cl and HC03 concentrations from the plasma Na concentration. | Anion Gap
.
[Na]-([Cl]+[HCO3]) |
| What accounts for most of the normal anion gap of 12 ± 4 mEq/L, and why? | Negatively charged plasma proteins such as albumin |
| Why doesn't hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis result in an increased anion gap? | Because Chloride is part of the formula for the anion gap.
[Na]-([Cl]+[HCO3])=Anion Gap |
| Why do renal or extrarenal losses of HC03 produce hyperchloremic (non-anion gap) metabolic acidosis? | Kidney retention if chloride – to preserve extra cellular fluids. |
