Question

A 68-year-old with sepsis and severe metabolic acidaemia (pH 7.18) plus AKI is being managed in ICU. Role of bicarbonate?

Accepted Answer

Consider bicarbonate in severe acidaemia (pH ≤7.2) with AKI

Answer

Give bicarbonate to all with lactate >2

Answer

Avoid bicarbonate in all sepsis cases

Answer

Use bicarbonate to raise pH to >7.5

Answer

Give bicarbonate only if HCO₃⁻ <5 regardless of pH

Practice question

A 68-year-old with sepsis and severe metabolic acidaemia (pH 7.18) plus AKI is being managed in ICU. Role of bicarbonate?