endocrine and metabolic disorders
Respiratory Acidosis
Diagnosis of Respiratory Acidosis
Arterial blood gas (ABG) and serum electrolyte measurements Diagnosis of cause (usually clinical) Recognition of respiratory acidosis and appropriate renal compensation (see Diagnosis ) requires ABG determination and measurement of serum electrolytes. Causes are usually obvious from history and examination. Calculation of the alveolar-arterial (A-a) O2gradient (inspired Po2− [arterial Po2+5⁄4arterial Pco2]) can help distinguish pulmonary from extrapulmonary disease; a normal gradient essentially excludes pulmonary disorders. 