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DigiCalcs

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Anion gap measures unmeasured anions in blood, helping identify metabolic acidosis causes. It's calculated from electrolyte values.

Водич корак по корак

  1. 1Calculate: AG = [Na⁺] - ([Cl⁻] + [HCO3⁻])
  2. 2Normal is 8-16 mEq/L (or 6-12 using newer methods)
  3. 3High AG suggests organic acid accumulation (lactate, ketones)

Worked Examples

Инпут
Na 138, Cl 104, HCO3 14
Резултат
AG = 20 (elevated, high AG metabolic acidosis)
Suggests lactate or ketosis

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Interpreting AG without pH/HCO3 context
  • Using outdated normal ranges that don't account for albumin

Frequently Asked Questions

When is anion gap useful?

Differentiating causes of metabolic acidosis: high AG (lactic acid, DKA) vs normal AG (diarrheal losses).

What limits anion gap interpretation?

It's only useful when acidosis is present; anion gap is normal in metabolic alkalosis despite serious pathology.

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