1b Arterial Blood Gases and Acid Base Regulation Flashcards
What is meant by the pO2?
Partial pressure of oxygen: this variable indicates how much oxygen is dissolved in the arterial blood, and if it is particularly low it can suggest inadequate gas exchange in the lungs
What is meant by the PCO2?
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide: this variable indicates how much CO2 is dissolved in the arterial blood and if it is particularly high it can suggest inadequate gas exchange in the lungs
What is meant by the pulmonary transit time?
The amount of time the blood has to participate in gas exchange
What is the pulmonary transit time?
0.75s
What is the formula for pH?
-log10 [H+]
What is an acid?
A molecule which has a loosely bound H+ ion which it can donate
A greater H+ concentration refers to what type of pH?
Lower pH
Why must the acidity of the blood be tightly regulated?
Marked changes will alter the 3D structure of proteins
What is a base?
An anionic molecule which is capable of reversibly binding protons - reduce the amount which are free
What are the two types of acid the body produced?
respiratory and metabolic acid
What is mean by respiratory acid?
CO2
What is the change in pH of the blood between offloading to tissue?
7.40 to 7.36
Describe the buffering capabilities of the blood?
Enormous buffering capacity that can react almost immediately to imbalances
Describe the rapid compensatory mechanism to alter pH?
Changes in ventilation = rapid compensatory response to change CO2 eliination and therefore alter pH
Describe the slow compensatory mechanism to alter pH?
Changes in HCO3- and H= retention/ secretion in the kidneys can stimulate a slow compensatory response to increase and decrease pH