Which base deficit range defines severe injury?

Which base deficit range defines severe injury?

• A. -2 to 2
• B. -5 to -3
• C. -9 to -6
• D. -10 or more

Answer: (D)

Base deficit reflects metabolic acidosis from tissue hypoperfusion; the more negative the base deficit, the more severe the hypoperfusion and injury. Normal values are roughly -2 to +2. Values that are increasingly negative indicate worsening shock. A base deficit in the range of -9 to -6 shows substantial acidosis, while -10 or more denotes severe injury with marked hypoperfusion and higher risk, requiring aggressive resuscitation. The other ranges are either near normal (-2 to 2) or only moderately or severely reduced but not as extreme as -10 or more, so they don’t define the most severe injury.

Base deficit reflects metabolic acidosis from tissue hypoperfusion; the more negative the base deficit, the more severe the hypoperfusion and injury. Normal values are roughly -2 to +2. Values that are increasingly negative indicate worsening shock. A base deficit in the range of -9 to -6 shows substantial acidosis, while -10 or more denotes severe injury with marked hypoperfusion and higher risk, requiring aggressive resuscitation. The other ranges are either near normal (-2 to 2) or only moderately or severely reduced but not as extreme as -10 or more, so they don’t define the most severe injury.