Today, I review, link to, and embed EM Note‘s “Pitfalls in Metabolic Acidosis Management“.
For a further excellent review of this subject, please see Anion Gap and Non-Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis from StatPearls. Last Update: August 6, 2025:
Acid-base disorders, particularly metabolic acidosis, found commonly in hospitalized patients and patients with chronic medical conditions, represent a critical diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in clinical practice. This activity reviews the physiologic principles underlying acidosis, distinguishing between respiratory and metabolic origins, and identifying mixed acid-base disturbances. Through a systematic approach to interpreting arterial or venous blood gases and calculating the anion gap, participants will develop the skills necessary to accurately diagnose high anion gap and normal anion gap metabolic acidosis.
Additionally, this course explores the diverse etiologies of acidemia using structured mnemonics such as “GOLD MARKeT” and “CAT MUDPILES,” and apply diagnostic reasoning to differentiate causes such as lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, renal failure, and toxic ingestions. The activity also addresses non–anion gap acidosis from gastrointestinal losses, renal tubular disorders, and iatrogenic sources, as well as clinical evaluation strategies, and evidence-based treatment options based on the underlying causes. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner’s competence in identifying acid-base disturbances, treating acute complications, performing the recommended evaluation, delivering individualized, patient-centered care, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing this condition to improve outcomes in critically ill and medically complex patients.
All that follows is from the above resource.
Pitfalls in Metabolic Acidosis Management
Jan 23, 2026
📧 EM Note Newsletter https://forms.gle/8boToiKDXVE3V8U19 Signup to get free weekly PDF via email. PS: Please join our membership for more perks (members can request for specific PDF file by posting in the EM Note YouTube Membership section).
Homepage: EMNote.org ■
🚩Membership: https://tinyurl.com/joinemnote
🚩ACLS Lecture: https://tinyurl.com/emnoteacls
