Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation:
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The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is used to calculate the pH of a buffer solution from the concentrations of a weak acid and its conjugate base. In this context, it calculates pH from bicarbonate and carbon dioxide concentrations.
The calculator uses the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation describes the relationship between pH and the bicarbonate/CO₂ buffer system, which is crucial for maintaining acid-base balance in biological systems.
Details: Accurate pH calculation is essential for assessing acid-base balance in clinical medicine, particularly in respiratory and metabolic disorders. It helps diagnose and monitor conditions affecting blood pH.
Tips: Enter bicarbonate concentration in mmol/L and carbon dioxide concentration in mol/L. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the normal range for blood pH?
A: Normal arterial blood pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45. Values outside this range indicate acidemia (pH < 7.35) or alkalemia (pH > 7.45).
Q2: Why is 0.03 used in the equation?
A: The factor 0.03 represents the solubility coefficient of CO₂ in blood, converting partial pressure of CO₂ to concentration in mmol/L.
Q3: When is this calculation most useful?
A: This calculation is particularly valuable in clinical settings for assessing respiratory and metabolic acid-base disorders and monitoring treatment response.
Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: The equation assumes ideal conditions and may not account for all physiological variables. It's most accurate when used with arterial blood gas measurements.
Q5: How does temperature affect the calculation?
A: Temperature can affect CO₂ solubility and pKa values. For precise calculations, temperature corrections may be necessary in certain applications.