Bicarbonate: Difference between revisions
ClaireLewis (talk | contribs) (Redirected page to Sodium bicarbonate) |
(Create lab page for Bicarbonate with EM-focused content and references) Tag: Removed redirect |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
==Background== | |||
*Primary buffer in the blood; measured as total CO2 on chemistry panels | |||
*Reflects acid-base status in conjunction with pCO2 | |||
==Normal Values== | |||
*Normal: 22-28 mEq/L | |||
==Interpretation== | |||
*Low bicarbonate indicates metabolic acidosis; evaluate with [[anion gap]] | |||
**Anion gap acidosis: [[DKA]], lactic acidosis, toxic ingestions (MUDPILES), renal failure | |||
**Non-anion gap acidosis: diarrhea, RTA, normal saline infusion | |||
*Elevated bicarbonate indicates metabolic alkalosis (vomiting, diuretics, contraction alkalosis) or chronic respiratory acidosis compensation | |||
*Venous CO2 on BMP closely approximates arterial bicarbonate (typically within 1-2 mEq/L) | |||
==See Also== | |||
*[[BMP]] | |||
*[[Anion gap]] | |||
*[[ABG interpretation]] | |||
*[[Metabolic acidosis]] | |||
*[[Sodium bicarbonate]] | |||
==References== | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Labs]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:58, 22 March 2026
Background
- Primary buffer in the blood; measured as total CO2 on chemistry panels
- Reflects acid-base status in conjunction with pCO2
Normal Values
- Normal: 22-28 mEq/L
Interpretation
- Low bicarbonate indicates metabolic acidosis; evaluate with anion gap
- Anion gap acidosis: DKA, lactic acidosis, toxic ingestions (MUDPILES), renal failure
- Non-anion gap acidosis: diarrhea, RTA, normal saline infusion
- Elevated bicarbonate indicates metabolic alkalosis (vomiting, diuretics, contraction alkalosis) or chronic respiratory acidosis compensation
- Venous CO2 on BMP closely approximates arterial bicarbonate (typically within 1-2 mEq/L)