Anatomy subcategory
Acid-Base and Fluids
Mnemonics for acid-base balance, buffers, osmolality and fluid compartments.
Entries in Acid-Base and Fluids
Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal
A mnemonic to remember the relationship between pH and primary values in acid-base disorders.
Check pH, then carbon dioxide, then bicarbonate, then compensation, then the anion gap
A memory aid for a systematic approach to blood gas interpretation.
Sodium minus chloride and bicarbonate, normally 8 to 16 mmol per litre
A memory aid for calculating and interpreting the anion gap.
Base excess quantifies the metabolic component independently of carbon dioxide
A memory aid for the derived metabolic acid-base parameters.
Bicarbonate in extracellular fluid, haemoglobin in blood, protein and phosphate in cells, bone in chronic acidosis
A memory aid for the main physiological buffers.
Predictable formulae reveal whether a second disorder is present
A memory aid for the expected compensation in each acid-base disorder.
Crystalloids distribute by tonicity; colloids stay longer in the plasma
A memory aid for the composition and distribution of intravenous fluids.
pH depends on the ratio of bicarbonate to carbon dioxide, not their absolute values
A memory aid for the relationship between pH, bicarbonate and carbon dioxide.
Type A from hypoperfusion, type B without hypoxia
A memory aid for the two types of lactic acidosis.
A cofactor for ATP-dependent enzymes and a natural calcium antagonist
A memory aid for the roles and disturbances of magnesium.
About 25 to 30 ml/kg/day of water with 1 mmol/kg each of sodium and potassium
A memory aid for daily fluid and electrolyte requirements.
Generation is one thing; maintenance requires impaired bicarbonate excretion
A memory aid for why metabolic alkalosis persists.
Measured minus calculated osmolality, raised by unmeasured osmoles
A memory aid for using the osmolar gap in poisoning.
Insulin, beta agonists and alkalosis drive potassium into cells
A memory aid for what moves potassium between compartments.
Insulin drives phosphate, potassium and magnesium into cells
A memory aid for the electrolyte shifts on refeeding a malnourished patient.
Anything reducing alveolar ventilation, from brain to alveolus
A memory aid for the causes of carbon dioxide retention.
Hypoxia, central stimulation, lung disease, drugs and anxiety
A memory aid for the causes of hyperventilation.
pH is determined by the strong ion difference, weak acids and carbon dioxide
A memory aid for the strong ion approach to acid-base balance.