Emergency medicine clinics of North America
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Emerg. Med. Clin. North Am. · May 2014
ReviewApproach to Metabolic Acidosis in the Emergency Department.
Acid-base disorders should be considered a process with the goal being to treat the patient and the underlying condition, not the numbers. A good understanding of the normal acid-base regulation in the body, as well as the most common derangements can prepare the emergency physician for this very common disorder that presents on every shift.
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Metabolic alkalosis is a common disorder, accounting for half of all acid-base disturbances in hospitalized patients. It is the result of an increase in bicarbonate production, a decrease in bicarbonate excretion, or a loss of hydrogen ions. Most causes of metabolic alkalosis can be divided into 4 categories: chloride depletion alkalosis, mineralocorticoid excess syndromes, apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndromes, and excess alkali administration. Treatment is usually supportive and based on cause of the alkalosis.
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Changes in potassium elimination, primarily due to the renal and GI systems, and shifting potassium between the intracellular and extracellular spaces cause potassium derangement. Symptoms are vague, but can be cardiac, musculoskeletal, or gastrointestinal. ⋯ Neither sodium bicarbonate nor kayexelate are recommended. Treatment of symptomatic hypokalemia consists of PO or IV repletion with potassium chloride and magnesium sulfate.