Crit Care Resusc
-
To present an overview of acidosis following intravenous fluid infusion and to highlight the current controversy in acid-base physiology. ⋯ There is controversy regarding mechanisms in acid-base physiology. The clinical significance of post infusion acidosis is unclear, however use of Hartmann's solution may minimize the acidosis.
-
To review and compare the 'metabolic' component of an acid-base abnormality by assessing the arterial blood bicarbonate and the 'strong ion difference'. ⋯ In man the renal and respiratory systems regulate acid-base homeostasis by modifying the bicarbonate buffer pair (i.e. PCO(2) and HCO(3)(-)), with all other body buffer systems adjusting to alterations in this pair. To maintain electrical neutrality there is a change in cation concentration commensurate with the change in bicarbonate concentration.