AN ACID-BASE CHART FOR ARTERIAL BLOOD WITH NORMAL AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL REFERENCE AREAS (REPRINTED FROM SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY INVESTIGATION, VOL 27, PG 239-245, 1971)

A pH-log (Pco2) chart is described, with indication, of the normal val ues for the acid-base status of the blood as well as the values to be expect in different types of acid-base disturbances, including acute a nd chronic hypercapnia, acute and chronic hypocapnia, acute and chroni c base deficit, and chronic base excess. The scales allow conversion o f pH to hydrogen ion concentration (10-pH) and conversion of mm Hg to the recommended unit for pressure. kilo pascal. The chart allows estim ation of the base excess or deficit of the extracellular fluid as well as the hydrogen carbonate concentration of the plasma. An example of the advantage of plotting the pH and Pco2 values in the chart is given .