Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (611 page)

D = decreased; I = increased; N = normal.

TABLE 13–3. Illustrative Serum Electrolyte Values in Various Conditions

TABLE 13–4. Summary of Pure and Mixed Acid–Base Disorders

Data from Friedman HH.
Problem-Oriented Medical Diagnosis
, 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Little, Brown; 1983.

TABLE 13–5. Immediate and Delayed Compensatory Response to Acid–Base Disturbances

↑, increases; ↓, decreases.

TABLE 13–6. Primary Change, and Compensatory Mechanisms in Delayed Response to, and Chloride Level in Acid–Base Disturbances

↑, increased;↓, decreased.

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS

   Respiratory alkalosis is defined as a decreased pCO
₂
of <38 mm Hg.

   Caused by Hyperventilation

   CNS disorders (e.g., infection, tumor, trauma, CVA, anxiety–hyperventilation)

   Hypoxia (e.g., high altitudes, ventilation–perfusion imbalance, PE)

   Cardiovascular (e.g., CHF, hypotension)

   Pulmonary disease (e.g., pneumonia, pulmonary emboli, asthma, pneumothorax)

   Drugs (e.g., salicylate intoxication, methylxanthines, β-adrenergic agonists)

   Metabolic (e.g., acidosis [diabetic, renal, lactic], Cirrhosis, liver failure)

   Others (e.g., fever, pregnancy, gram-negative sepsis, pain)