Acid-Base Balance

Acid-Base Balance
While this is too simple for real world acid base stuff, it works great for exams where numbers are usually exaggerated.
Remember these normals:
pH=7.4
pCO2=40
HCO3=20

Step 1: Determine how your values compare to the normals

Step 2: Is it acidosis (pH<7.4), or alkalosis (pH>7.4)?

Step 3: ROME: Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal. If pH and CO2 (or HCO3) move in opposite directions, it’s a respiratory problem, if pH and HCO3 (or CO2) move in the same direction, it’s a metabolic problem.

Step 4: If both pCO2 and HCO3 values changed then it’s compensated, if only one changed it’s uncompensated.

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