Metabolic Acidosis

• pH low

• abnormal fall in bicarbonate = low

• compensation by fall in PCO₂

Causes

• Increased endogenous acid production due to abnormal metabolism

  • lactic acidosis

  • diabetic ketoacidosis

• Increased acid production due to ingestion of exogenous chemicals

  • methanol

  • ethylene glycol

  • salicylates

• Decreased renal acid secretion

  • renal failure

  • renal tubular acidosis

• Increased endogenous acid production with increased bicarbonate loss in sub-pyloric GI tract disease

  • diarrhoea

  • lower GI drainage

Further tests

• Osmolar Gap

  • unmeasured osmoles will be exogenous substances in blood

• Anion gap

  • helps determine causes

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