Table 14-12
- Is the pH life threatening, requiring immediate intervention?
- Does the pH reflect a primary acidosis or alkalosis?
- Could the arterial blood gas and pH readings represent an acute change in PaCO2?
- If there is no evidence of an acute change in PaCO2, is there evidence of a chronic respiratory disturbance or of an acute metabolic disturbance?
- Are appropriate compensatory changes present?
- Is an anion gap present?
- Do the clinical data fit the acid–base picture?