Cleveland Clinic Journal of MedicineEvaluating a Low Anion Gap: A Practical Approach (CME)

Unraveling the Mystery of Low Anion Gap

The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine presents a comprehensive CME program on evaluating a low anion gap. This overlooked aspect in medical practice can often lead to missed opportunities for diagnosing acute or chronic disorders requiring treatment.

Perspectives
This CME program on evaluating a low anion gap holds significant implications for healthcare professionals. It provides a unique opportunity to explore an often overlooked aspect of patient care. By understanding the constituents of the serum anion gap and learning a stepwise approach to diagnostic testing, physicians can enhance their diagnostic acumen. This knowledge could lead to early detection of acute or chronic disorders that might otherwise go unnoticed, thereby improving patient outcomes. In the broader context of healthcare, this program underscores the importance of continuous learning and staying abreast of lesser-known medical phenomena.

Program Summary

• Overview: The article provides a review of the constituents of the serum anion gap, outlines a differential diagnosis for a low anion gap using case examples, and offers a stepwise approach to diagnostic testing.
• Target Audience: Internists and nephrologists; any doctor interested in understanding and diagnosing disorders related to a low anion gap.
• Learning Objectives: To understand the constituents of the serum anion gap, build a differential diagnosis for a low anion gap, and learn a stepwise approach to diagnostic testing.
• Accreditation & Credit Designation Statements
  • In support of improving patient care, Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
  • American Medical Association (AMA). Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates this journal-based activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Participants claiming CME credit from this activity may submit the credit hours to the American Osteopathic Association for Category 2 credit.
  • American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

A decrease in negatively charged albumin lowers the anion gap.

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