Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT
Metabolic acidosis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
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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