Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT
Metabolic acidosis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise metabolic acidosis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Metabolic acidosis: pH <7.35 + low HCO3- (<22 mmol/L)
- Respiratory compensation: low pCO2 (hyperventilation/Kussmaul breathing)
- Partial compensation = pCO2 low but pH still <7.35
Kussmaul breathing is slow, DEEP and laboured - it is the depth, not the rate, that is the hallmark. Classic in DKA and severe metabolic acidosis.
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