Milán-Chávez R, Morales-López S, Morales-García L, Álvarez MR, Fortoul VDGT

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 176-183
PDF size: 606.47 Kb.

ABSTRACT

It has been determined that around 80% of patients arriving to the emergency rooms present acid-base imbalances. Consequently, it is crucial for physicians to recognize these disorders and be familiar with the correction methods available. Besides getting a clinical history and carrying out a physical examination, physicians must be able to interpret arterial blood gas values (pH, bicarbonate and partial pressure of CO₂), as well as understand the relationship between these values in the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation. It is also crucial to know the compensatory mechanisms that are initiated to help the patient achieve homeostasis.