Differential Diagnosis of Respiratory Acid-Base Disorders Alkalosis A. Central nervous system stimulation: Pain, Anxiety, psychosis, Fever, Cerebrovascular accident, Meningitis, encephalitis, Tumor, Trauma B. Hypoxemia or tissue hypoxia: High altitude, Pneumonia, pulmonary edema, Aspiration, Severe anemia C. Drugs or hormones: Pregnancy, progesterone, Salicylates, Cardiac failure D. Stimulation of chest receptors: Hemothorax, Flail chest, Cardiac failure, Pulmonary embolism E. Miscellaneous: Septicemia, Hepatic failure, Mechanical hyperventilation, Heat exposure, Recovery from metabolic acidosis Acidosis A. Central: Drugs (anesthetics, morphine, sedatives), Stroke, Infection B. Airway: Obstruction, Asthma C. Parenchyma: Emphysema, Pneumoconiosis, Bronchitis, Adult respiratory distress syndrome, Barotrauma D Neuromuscular: Poliomyelitis, Kyphoscoliosis, Myasthenia, Muscular dystrophies E. Miscellaneous: Obesity, Hypoventilation, Permissive hypercapnia #respiratory #acidbase #acidosis #alkalosis #differential #diagnosis #causes
