Which statement correctly expresses the bicarbonate calculation from total CO2 and PCO2?

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Study for the Ciulla Clinical Chemistry Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Prepare for the exam with comprehensive study materials and detailed explanations for each question.

Multiple Choice

Which statement correctly expresses the bicarbonate calculation from total CO2 and PCO2?

Explanation:
Total CO2 in blood is the sum of bicarbonate (HCO3−) and dissolved CO2. The dissolved CO2 portion is determined by the solubility of CO2, about 0.03 mmol/L per mmHg of PCO2. So dissolved CO2 = 0.03 × PCO2. To find bicarbonate, you subtract the dissolved portion from the total: HCO3− = total CO2 − (0.03 × PCO2). This matches the physiological relationship and units ( mmol/L for both total CO2 and HCO3−, mmHg for PCO2). The other forms mix the terms incorrectly and don’t produce the correct bicarbonate value.

Total CO2 in blood is the sum of bicarbonate (HCO3−) and dissolved CO2. The dissolved CO2 portion is determined by the solubility of CO2, about 0.03 mmol/L per mmHg of PCO2. So dissolved CO2 = 0.03 × PCO2. To find bicarbonate, you subtract the dissolved portion from the total: HCO3− = total CO2 − (0.03 × PCO2). This matches the physiological relationship and units ( mmol/L for both total CO2 and HCO3−, mmHg for PCO2). The other forms mix the terms incorrectly and don’t produce the correct bicarbonate value.

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