Biochemistry · Nutrition and Metabolic Integration

Metabolic acidosis and compensation

3 min read

Quick Orientation

Section

Definition

Objective
Understand the core idea
Keywords
Metabolic acidosis, bicarbonate (HCO3−), pH

Compensation of Acid-Base Disorders

Objective
Connect the mechanism to clinical findings
Keywords
Compensation, 7.4, partial

Anion Gap

Objective
Learn the main facts and relationships
Keywords
Anion gap (A−), 15 mEq/l, 8 to 18 mEq/l

Metabolic Acidosis

Objective
Learn the main facts and relationships
Keywords
excessive production of organic acids

Anion Gap and Metabolic Acidosis

Objective
Learn the main facts and relationships
Keywords
elevates the anion gap

Clinical Correlation

Objective
Connect the mechanism to clinical findings
Keywords
Diabetic ketoacidosis, acetoacetic acid, β-hydroxybutyric acid

Definition

Metabolic acidosis: primary defect is a fall in plasma bicarbonate (HCO3−) concentration, so blood pH falls below the normal 7.4.