What does the anion gap measure?
A) the total quantity of anions
B) the difference between unmeasured anions and cations
C) the ratio of different anions
D) the effect of anions on the blood
E) the effect of anions on the kidneys

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The anion gap is a measure of the difference between the concentrations of unmeasured anions and cations in the blood. It is calculated as the difference between the sum of measured anions (usually chloride and bicarbonate) and cations (usually sodium and potassium). An increased anion gap may indicate the presence of metabolic acidosis, which can be caused by various conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis.

What Does the Anion Gap Measure