What it means
A salt, the same substance as baking soda, that acts as a base. By IV it is used for severe metabolic acidosismet-uh-BOL-ik as-ih-DOH-sisA state in which the blood is too acidic because the body has too much acid or has lost too much bicarbonate.metabol change, the body's chemical work-ic relating toacid -osis abnormal conditionFull entry , some poisonings and overdoses (such as tricyclic antidepressants and aspirin), and high potassium. By mouth it is an antacid for heartburn. It carries a lot of sodium, and too much can make the blood too alkaline.
For the nurse
It reacts with many IV drugs, including calcium, so flush the line before and after. Watch the IV site, since leaking into the tissue can damage it, and follow the blood gases and potassium.
At a glance
| Drug class | alkalinizing agent; antacid |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | NaHCO3 |
| Spanish | bicarbonato de sodio |
| Also written | NaHCO3 |
Related terms
metabolic acidosis
A state in which the blood is too acidic because the body has too much acid or has lost too much bicarbonate.
bicarbonate
A base in the blood that balances acid; the kidneys control it, and its level is measured on blood gas and chemistry tests.
antacid
A drug that neutralizes stomach acid to relieve heartburn and indigestion.