Below the range
Common causes of a low Base Excess
- Metabolic acidosis
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high Base Excess.
All tests · Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) · Base Excess
Below the range
What causes a low Base Excess?
Normal range -2-2 mEq/L (-2-2 mmol/L SI). Specimen: Arterial blood (calculated). See the full Base Excess reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for Base Excess?
The standard teaching reference range for Base Excess is -2-2 mEq/L in conventional units, or -2-2 mmol/L in SI units. This value is measured in arterial blood (calculated).
| Specimen | Arterial blood (calculated) |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | -2-2 mEq/L |
| SI range | -2-2 mmol/L |
| Panel | Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the Base Excess normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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