What adjustment is needed for pH correction in a patient with a body temperature of 38°C?

In clinical practice, it's important to adjust pH measurements based on the temperature of the patient, as pH values are temperature-sensitive. At elevated body temperatures, such as 38°C, the pH tends to decrease slightly due to the increased activity of hydrogen ions.

For each degree Celsius above a standard temperature of 37°C, the pH can decrease by approximately 0.015. Therefore, at 38°C, the adjustment involves subtracting 0.015 from the measured pH to obtain an accurate representation of the patient's acid-base status. This adjustment is crucial for proper diagnosis and management of acid-base disorders.

The adjustment choice of subtraction accurately reflects the physiological changes in pH due to temperature increases, allowing clinicians to make informed decisions regarding treatment and intervention.