Exp Comp for Resp Acidosis, Acute
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PaCO2 (mmHg)
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HCO3 (mg/dL)
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Exp Comp for Resp Acidosis, Acute

Expected bicarbonate = 24 + ((Patient's PCO2 - Baseline PCO2)/10)

NOTE: Baseline PCO2 default should be 40.

Interpretation: If patient's bicarb is higher than expected, a superimposed metabolic alkalosis is present. If it is lower, a superimposed metabolic acidosis is present.

Limit of compensation: 32. So any result (expected bicarbonate) higher than 32 should be converted to 32.

References:
Doyle DJ. A Synopsis of Acid-Base Analysis. http://acidbase.homestead.com/ABG_Analysis_Rev_2.0.pdf. Updated Jan 2006. Last assessed June 2013.