2.3: Physiology 8 Flashcards
Normal pH of the body?
7.4
Normal range for [HCO3-]
25mmol/l
Range is 23-27
Normal range for arterial PCO2?
40mmHg
Range is 35-45
What is compensation?
If acid base balance is disturbed, the first priority is to return pH to 7.4 as soon as possible
Compensation restores pH to 7.4 irrespective of what happens to pCO2 and [HCO3-]
What is correction?
Correction of an acid base balance is restoration of:
- pH
- pCO2
- [HCO3-]
back to normal
What occurs first - compensation or correction?
Compensation occurs first - fix pH
Then correction - fix pCo2 and [HCO3-]
Describe:
- Respiratory acidosis?
- Respiratory alkalosis?
- Metabolic acidosis?
- Metabolic alkalosis?
BRIEFLY
Respiratory Acidosis: There is a disturbance of respiratory origin that causes decreased plasma pH
Respiratory Alkalosis: Disturbance of respiratory origin that causes increased plasma pH
Metabolic Acidosis: Disturbance of metabolic origin that causes decreased plasma pH
Metabolic Alkalosis: Disturbance of metabolic origin that causes increased plasma pH
Describe the immediate buffering of a pH change?
- How is this done?
- What is the most important buffer?
- Speed?
- How long do the buffers last?
- Immediate dilution of acid or base in ECF
- Blood buffers (Eg: Haemaglobin, Bicarbonate)
- Buffers in the ECF (Particularly bicarbonate)
Most important buffer is the co2-bicarbonate ion buffer
Very rapid buffering
Buffer stores deplete quickly (needs rectified by kidney)
Use the Henderson Hasselbach equation to link pH, [HCO3-] and [Co2]?
Describe what blood gas analyser measures?
What can be worked out?
Measures pH and PCO2
You can use this to work out [HCO3-]
Use the Henderson Hasselbach equation
Label the points on this Davenport Diagram?
A = Respiratory Acidosis
B = Metabolic Acidosis
C = Respiratory Alkalosis
D = Metabolic Alkalosis
E = Normal
What is respiratory acidosis?
Name some conditions it is seen in?
Retention of Co2 by the body
Eg: Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Emphysema
Airway restriction (Asthma, tumour)
Chest Injuries
Respiratory Decompression
Describe the physiology behind respiratory acidosis?
Co2 is retained
This drives equilibrium of Co2/Bicarbonate to the right
[H+] and [HCO3-] rise
This causes ACIDOSIS
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis is indicated if..?
(Give the expected ranges for pH and Pco2)
pH = <7.35
pCo2 = >45mmHg
Describe compensation for respiratory acidosis?
There is no extracellular buffering
Renal system must compensate as respiratory system is cause
Retained Co2 causes increased H+ secretion
All filtered HCO3- is reabsorbed (none excreted)
H+ forms titratable acid and NH4+ (acid phosphate and ammonium ions)
The HCO3- rises
Describe correction for respiratory acidosis?
Requires lowering pCo2 by restoration of normal ventilation by removing blockage or obstruction