Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
One of the measures of kidney function is the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Other tests that can assess the function of the kidneys include assessment of electrolyte levels such as potassium and phosphate, assessment of acid-base status by the measurement of bicarbonate levels from a vein, and assessment of the full blood count for anaemia.
Acid–base homeostasis is the homeostatic regulation of the pH of the body's extracellular fluid (ECF). [1] The proper balance between the acids and bases (i.e. the pH) in the ECF is crucial for the normal physiology of the body—and for cellular metabolism . [ 1 ]
The base excess is used for the assessment of the metabolic component of acid-base disorders, and indicates whether the person has metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis. Contrasted with the bicarbonate levels, the base excess is a calculated value intended to completely isolate the non-respiratory portion of the pH change. [16]
The kidneys maintain acid-base homeostasis by regulating the pH of the blood plasma. Gains and losses of acid and base must be balanced. Acids are divided into "volatile acids" [12] and "nonvolatile acids". [13] See also titratable acid. The major homeostatic control point for maintaining this stable balance is renal excretion.
Respiratory and renal changes in acid-base elimination typically contrast each other, and respiratory pH disturbances often commence renal compensation. [3] The renal compensation process usually takes a few days to complete as it is dependent upon changes in the reabsorption of bicarbonate. [ 4 ]
Because we know that plasma is electro-neutral (uncharged), we can conclude that the anion gap calculation represents the concentration of unmeasured anions. The anion gap varies in response to changes in the concentrations of the above-mentioned serum components that contribute to the acid-base balance. [citation needed]
Metabolic acidosis is a serious electrolyte disorder characterized by an imbalance in the body's acid-base balance.Metabolic acidosis has three main root causes: increased acid production, loss of bicarbonate, and a reduced ability of the kidneys to excrete excess acids. [5]
One difficulty in evaluation acid-base derangements is the presence of multiple pathologies. A patient may present with a metabolic acidosis process alone, but they may also have a concomitant respiratory acidosis. Winters's formula gives an expected value for the patient's P CO 2; the patient's actual (measured) P CO 2 is then compared to this ...