What is the normal range for anion gap?

The normal range for anion gap, which is often used to help evaluate the causes of metabolic acidosis, is typically accepted to be between 7 and 17 mEq/L. This range reflects the difference between the primary measured cations (sodium) and the primary measured anions (chloride and bicarbonate) in the serum.

A normal anion gap indicates a balance in the concentration of positive and negative ions within the body, suggesting that there are no significant unmeasured ions contributing to the gap. This value can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and its specific methodology; however, the range of 7 to 17 mEq/L is widely recognized in clinical practice. Thus, option B accurately reflects this standard range and is appropriate for guiding clinical assessment in metabolic disturbances.