A stepwise approach to acid-base disorders

PREVIEW

Acid-base disorders are often encountered in hospital and outpatient settings in association with severe diarrhea or vomiting, pregnancy, and other circumstances. Physicians need an organized method of evaluating these disorders to facilitate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In this article, Dr Fall outlines a step-by-step approach to acid-base disorders, with emphasis on metabolic acidosis. An illustrative case is analyzed at applicable points throughout the article to depict salient features of this approach.