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Adult Medical Emergency Handbook - Scottish Intensive Care Society

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i<br />

Diagnosis<br />

H + >45 pH -5mmol/l.<br />

Diagnostic investigations: will depend on circumstances<br />

• Glucose<br />

• U&Es<br />

• Blood for ketones.<br />

• Blood lactate.<br />

• Toxins: ethylene glycol, methanol, paracetamol, salicylate, ethanol.<br />

MANAGEMENT<br />

• ABCDE<br />

• Correct hypoxia.<br />

• Correct circulatory abnormalities: see Chapter 2.<br />

• Treat specific causes (see below) e.g. infection, DKA.<br />

• Poisoning: methanol, ethylene glycol, salicylate, paracetamol seek<br />

expert advice.<br />

• IV sodium bicarbonate is seldom indicated unless renal failure or<br />

specific poisoning.<br />

• Bicarbonate loss from gut or in renal tubular acidosis: correct<br />

cause, replace fluid and electrolyte losses (especially potassium)<br />

and infuse sodium bicarbonate 1.26% titrated.<br />

Sodium bicarbonate use should be limited to patients WITHOUT<br />

tissue hypoxia as it has many detrimental effects in anaerobic<br />

lactic acidosis.<br />

adult medical emergencies handbook | NHS LOTHIAN: UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DIVISION | 2009/11<br />

191

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