ABG Calculators

Expected secondary responses

Calculates the expected secondary responses in p_aCO₂ and HCO₃^- based on this paper

p_aCO₂ Reference: 36 – 44

HCO₃^- Reference: 22 – 26

Primary change	Secondary reaction
Metabolic acidosis	Expected p_aCO₂ of 40.00 mmHg 40 − [(24 − HCO₃^-) × 1.2]
Metabolic alkalosis	Expected p_aCO₂ of 40.00 mmHg 40 + [(HCO₃^- − 24) × 0.7]
Acute respiratory acidosis	Expected HCO₃^- of 24.00 mmHg 24 + [(p_aCO₂ − 40) × 0.1]
Chronic respiratory acidosis	Expected HCO₃^- of 24.00 mmHg 24 + [(p_aCO₂ − 40) × 0.35]
Acute respiratory alkalosis	Expected HCO₃^- of 24.00 mmHg 24 − [(40 − p_aCO₂) × 0.2]
Chronic respiratory alkalosis	Expected HCO₃^- of 24.00 mmHg 24 − [(40 − p_aCO₂) × 0.4]