Bicarbonate Measurement and Osmolar Gap in Acidosis

Exploring the comparison between directly measured and calculated bicarbonate levels in metabolic acidosis, the chapter discusses the clinical implications and decision-making processes. It also delves into the significance of osmolar gap calculations in identifying toxic alcohol ingestion and anion gap metabolic acidosis, emphasizing the importance of understanding related formulas in critical care scenarios. Additionally, the shift towards venous blood gases and the risks associated with arterial blood gas sampling are highlighted, underlining the benefits of point-of-care testing in critical care settings.