Acid
This type of compensation has a rapid onset but a limited capacity, and will decrease your pCO2
Respiratory compensation (in the setting of metabolic acidosis)
This acid/base disorder is characterized by a high pH and a low PCO2
Respiratory alkalosis
In patients on an insulin drip, this fluid should be given if the patient becomes hypoglycemic
Dextrose
Treatment for hyperkalemia is IV calcium to stabilize the heart, dextrose and insulin to shift K intracellularly, and this drug to remove K
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
This vasopressor is the first line treatment for septic shock
Norepinephrine
This acid/base disorder is characterized by a low pH, low HCO3, and an anion gap > 12 mEq/L
High anion gap metabolic acidosis
Someone experiencing respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation from anxiety may try this as treatment (make sure to remove your lunch first!)
Breathing into a paper bag
This fluid should not be used in patients who have a lactic acidosis
Lactated Ringers
If infused too fast, these two electrolytes can cause irritation and/or arrhythmias
Calcium and Potassium
These types of drugs are recommended if a patient has been mechanically ventilated for > 48 hours, if their INR is > 1.5, or if their Platelets are < 50k
PPIs/H2RAs for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis
This is a common cause of metabolic acidosis, originating from tissue hypoxia, liver failure, or seizures.
Lactic acidosis
This type of compensation is used in patients with a high pH, a low PCO2, and has a slow onset but a large capacity
Metabolic compensation (in the setting of respiratory alkalosis)
This fluid is used in hypervolemic, hyponatremic patients
3% NS
A deficiency in this electrolyte can cause tremors, seizures, and arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes
Magnesium
This lab value should be monitored periodically for patients receiving a propofol drip for sedation
Triglycerides to prevent pancreatitis
This treatment is used for severe metabolic acidosis if your pH is < 7.1
IV NaHCO3
This treatment is preferred in patients with metabolic alkalosis, an excess of HCO3, and are also fluid restricted (such as HF patients)
Acetazolamide
This fluid is used in patients with decreased oncotic pressure and mainly stays in the intravascular fluid
5% albumin
It is important to check if patients have a central line if administered more than this many mEq/L of potassium
> 40 mEq/L
These two assessment tools are used to monitor a sedated and paralyzed patient's alertness and "twitches"
Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Train of Four (TOF)
This is excreted in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct as a means of compensation in respiratory acidosis
Protons/H+
(as H2PO4- and NH4+)
These types of drugs can cause both Chloride responsive and Chloride resistant metabolic alkalosis
Loop and Thiazide diuretics
In severe hypovolemia, fluids such as NS, LR, or Plasma-Lyte can be given because these fluids have this tonicity
Isotonic
Changing a patient’s sodium by more than this mEq/L per day can cause osmotic demyelination syndrome or cerebral edema
10 mEq/L
These types of drugs can increase a paralytic effect in patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents (paralytics)
Corticosteroids; Antibiotics: (Aminoglycosides, Colistin, Clindamycin, Tetracyclines), Calcium channel blockers