×
MedSchool: Ace Your OSCEsThe Medical Company
 
 
 
 
 
GET - On the App Store
View
ABG Interpretation
 
 

Assessing Bicarbonate

February 15th, 2021
 
 
 
Bookmark

Overview

Bicarbonate (HCO₃) is one of the major alkali present in the blood, and plays a crucial role in acid-base balance.
    • Normal Range

    • 22 - 26 mmol/L

Elevated HCO₃

An elevated bicarbonate level greater than 26 suggests the presence of a metabolic process - either primary (metabolic alkalosis) or secondary (compensation for respiratory acidosis).
  • Interpretation

  • Elevated pH with elevated HCO₃ - suggests metabolic alkalosis
  • Reduced pH with elevated HCO₃ and elevated PCO - suggests metabolic compensation for chronic respiratory acidosis
  • Normal pH with elevated HCO₃ and elevated PCO₂ - suggests mixed metabolic alkalosis-respiratory acidosis

Reduced HCO₃

A reduced bicarbonate level less than 22 suggests the presence of a metabolic process - either primary (metabolic acidosis) or secondary (compensation for respiratory alkalosis).
  • Interpretation

  • Reduced pH with reduced HCO₃ - suggests metabolic acidosis
  • Elevated pH with reduced HCO₃ and reduced PCO - suggests metabolic compensation for chronic respiratory alkalosis
  • Normal pH with reduced HCO₃ and reduced PCO₂ - suggests mixed metabolic acidosis-respiratory alkalosis
Next Page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want more info like this?
  • Your electronic clinical medicine handbook
  • Guides to help pass your exams
  • Tools every medical student needs
  • Quick diagrams to have the answers, fast
  • Quizzes to test your knowledge
Sign Up Now
   
 
 

Snapshot: Initialising...