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Chapter 1

Acid-base fundamentals

In this chapter, you will learn the basic principles behind acid-base analysis. Look inside and see how the pH is determined by bicarbonate and pCO2. This chapter concludes with a handy rule for how to determine if the primary underlying disorder is metabolic or respiratory.
7 lessons
23m
What's the pH value?
7m
Bicarbonate—the primary buffer
3m
The normal values and cutoffs
2m
The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation made easy
3m
Compensation—the basics
6m
Why compensation is never complete
3m
A simple rule for identifying the type of acid-base disorder
2m
Acid-base fundamentals quiz
Quiz
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Chapter 2

Respiratory disorders—a short primer

In this ultra-short chapter (consisting of just one lesson) you will get a short introduction to respiratory disorders.
1 lessons
1m
Introduction to respiratory disorders
1m
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Chapter 3

Metabolic acidosis

In this chapter, we'll teach you about the different causes for metabolic acidosis. You'll also learn how to use one of the most powerful tools in acid-base analysis—the anion gap. As you'll see, it's invaluable when analyzing any acid-base problems.
8 lessons
15m
Metabolic acidosis—the causes
2m
Metabolic acidosis caused by loss of bicarbonate
3m
What happens to chloride when bicarbonate goes down?
2m
What happens to anions when acid is added?
2m
The anion gap—causes and calculation
2m
How to differentiate between bicarbonate loss and acid overload
2m
Adjusting the normal values of the anion gap
2m
The causes of anion gap acidosis
3m
Metabolic acidosis quiz
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Chapter 4

Mixed metabolic disorders

Several metabolic acid-base problems can be present in one patient at the same time. In this chapter, we will teach you exactly how you can find out if that's the case in your patient.
3 lessons
12m
Introduction to mixed metabolic disorders
1m
What happens to bicarbonate when acid is added?
3m
The corrected bicarbonate and the acid-base algorithm
8m
Mixed metabolic disorders quiz
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Chapter 5

Metabolic alkalosis

After completing this chapter you will know about the most common causes for metabolic alkalosis. You will also learn several key concepts with respect to its treatment.
2 lessons
10m
Metabolic alkalosis—generation
6m
Metabolic alkalosis—maintenance and treatment
4m
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Chapter 6

Compensation

In this chapter we've come up with super-simple rules that will help you decide if compensation is adequate or not. You'll understand exactly how the lungs compensate a metabolic problem and how the kidneys compensate a respiratory problem.
2 lessons
9m
Easy rules for assessing compensation
8m
Wrapping Up
1m
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Teachers of this course
Image of Franz Wiesbauer, MD MPH
Franz Wiesbauer, MD MPH
Franz is the founder and CEO of Medmastery. He is an internist with a specialization in cardiology and a master’s in public health from Johns Hopkins University.
Medmastery.com
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Image of Rainer Oberbauer, MD MSc
Rainer Oberbauer, MD MSc
Nephrologist. Chairman of the nephrology department at the Medical University of Vienna.
Medical University of Vienna
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