How to Interpret the Anion Gap in Emergency Medicine
What exactly is the anion gap? The anion gap is a quick lab indicator used to assist in identifying metabolic acidosis and related acid-base disorders . It comes from standard serum electrolytes , especially serum sodium , serum chloride , and serum bicarbonate . In emergency evaluation, it helps clinicians recognize an electrolyte imbalance that may point to hidden acids, toxins, or organ failure. The idea behind the anion gap is easy to grasp: mea