Which arterial blood gas value is used to determine if the source of an acid-base disturbance is respiratory or metabolic?

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Prepare for the Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Test using flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by helpful hints and detailed explanations to ensure you're ready for the exam!

Multiple Choice

Which arterial blood gas value is used to determine if the source of an acid-base disturbance is respiratory or metabolic?

Explanation:
The bicarbonate level represents the metabolic component of acid-base balance. The kidneys regulate bicarbonate and metabolic acids, so changes in HCO3- reflect a metabolic disturbance. In contrast, the lungs control carbon dioxide (PaCO2), which is the respiratory component. Therefore, to tell if an acid-base problem is metabolic in origin, you look at bicarbonate: an abnormal HCO3- with a near-normal PaCO2 indicates a metabolic disturbance; a normal bicarbonate with an abnormal PaCO2 points to a respiratory disturbance. PaO2 relates to oxygenation and doesn’t reveal the source of the acid-base issue.

The bicarbonate level represents the metabolic component of acid-base balance. The kidneys regulate bicarbonate and metabolic acids, so changes in HCO3- reflect a metabolic disturbance. In contrast, the lungs control carbon dioxide (PaCO2), which is the respiratory component. Therefore, to tell if an acid-base problem is metabolic in origin, you look at bicarbonate: an abnormal HCO3- with a near-normal PaCO2 indicates a metabolic disturbance; a normal bicarbonate with an abnormal PaCO2 points to a respiratory disturbance. PaO2 relates to oxygenation and doesn’t reveal the source of the acid-base issue.

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