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Contributor: Nick Tsipis, MD Educational Pearls: pH 7.45=alkalemia If pH low and pCO2 high, indicates a respiratory acidosis If pH low and pCO2 low, indicates metabolic acidosis After determining type of acidosis, check bicarb to determine compensation for acidosis and check electrolytes to calculate anion gap Metabolic acidosis can present with tachypnea (Kussmaul breathing) and hypotension due to loss of catecholamine function and suboptimal cardiac function at low pH Treat with IV fluids and address the underlying cause, limited role for bicarb References Burger MK, Schaller DJ. Metabolic Acidosis. [Updated 2020 Nov 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan. Cadogan M. Acid Base Disorders. Life in the Fast Lane • LITFL. https://litfl.com/acid-base-disorders/. Published November 3, 2020. Accessed June 23, 2021. Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD The Emergency Medical Minute is excited to announce that we are now offering AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. To access these and for more information, visit our website at www.emergencymedicalminute.com/cme-courses/ and create an account. Donate to EMM today!