Metabolic Acidosis and Respiratory Acidosis

Occurs in:

• Respiratory compromise with hypoxia (producing lactic acid from cellular anaerobic glycolysis)

ABG hallmark: the pCO₂ will be raised and the HCO₃^– reduced

For example, in acute hypoxaemia, secondary to pulmonary embolus with poor tissue perfusion:

In a simple disorder, it would be expected that the CO₂ and bicarbonate would move in the same direction, but in this case, the bicarbonate is low from the metabolic disorder and the CO₂ is high from the respiratory component.