STEPWISE ALGORITHM: ACID–BASE DISORDER INTERPRETATION
START → CHECK pH
↓
pH < 7.35 → ACIDEMIA
pH > 7.45 → ALKALEMIA
↓
CHECK PRIMARY CHANGE
• PaCO₂ abnormal → RESPIRATORY
• HCO₃⁻ abnormal → METABOLIC
↓
ASSESS COMPENSATION
• Metabolic acidosis → Winter’s formula
• Metabolic alkalosis → Expected PaCO₂ rise
• Respiratory disorders → Acute vs chronic pattern
↓
IF METABOLIC ACIDOSIS → CALCULATE ANION GAP
AG = Na⁺ − (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻)
• AG 8–12 → Normal AG acidosis
• AG >12 → High AG acidosis
↓
CHECK FOR MIXED DISORDERS
• Normal pH with abnormal PaCO₂ & HCO₃⁻
• Compensation inappropriate
• Use delta gap if needed
END → CORRELATE WITH CLINICAL CONTEXT
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