Anion gap
NCLEX-RN glossary · Reduction Of Risk Potential
Definition
The calculated difference between measured cations and anions: Na - (Cl + HCO3); used to identify metabolic acidosis causes.
Anion gap in plain English
This is an elevated gap (>12 mEq/L) signals the presence of unmeasured metabolic acids (e.g., ketones, lactate, or toxins). The main trap is ignoring the gap when pH is only slightly abnormal, potentially missing an evolving diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis.
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