6. Control of Acid Base and Potassium Concentration Flashcards
What is the normal range of plasma pH?
7.38-7.46
What is the normal range of plasma [H+]?
37-43mmol/L
Where are the results of acidaemia severe?
When pH drops below 7.1
When are the results of acidaemia life threatening?
When pH drops below 7.0
What are the results of acidaemia?
Reduced enzyme function, reduced cardiac and skeletal muscle contractility, reduced glycolysis, reduced hepatic function, increased plasma potassium.
What is the effect of alkalaemia?
Reduced solubility of calcium salts, free Ca2+ leaves the ECF, binding to bone and proteins, so hypocalcaemia and increased excitability of nerves.
What happens with pH >7.45?
Paresthesia, and tetany - uncontrolled muscle contractions.
What is the mortality risk with pH > 7.55?
45%
What is the mortality risk with pH > 7.65?
80%
How are major changes in pH from small [H+] changes prevented?
With buffering of H+ ions.
What is the important buffering system of H+?
Carbon dioxide/ hydrogen carbonate system.
What determines the extent of the H+ reaction with CO2 in buffering?
The ratio of pCO2 of the plasma to [HCO3-].
What organ controls pCO2 of the plasma?
The lungs.
What organ controls [HCO3-] of the plasma?
The kidneys.
What is the normal ratio of pCO2:[HCO3-]?
20:1.
How can pH be calculated from pCO2 and [HCO3-]?
pH = 6.1 + log ([HCO3-]/(pCO2 x 0.23)).
What is the mechanism of respiratory alkalaemia?
Hyperventilation leads to hypocapnia so the ratio is altered, more H+ is buffered, and pH rises.
What is the mechanism of respiratory acidaemia?
Hypoventilation leads to hypercapnia so the ratio is altered, less H+ are buffered, and the pH decreases.
Generally, how is respiratory acidaemia or alkalaemia compensated for?
Changes in [HCO3-] by the kidney from variable excretion and production.
How is respiratory acidaemia compensated for?
If pCO2 rises, [HCO3-] rises proportionally to restore pH as the kidneys excrete less and produce more.
How is respiratory alkalaemia compensated for?
If pCO2 falls, [HCO3-] falls proportionally to restore pH as the kidneys excrete more and produce less.
What is the mechanism behind metabolic acidosis?
Metabolically produced H+ ions react with HCO3- to make CO2 in the venous blood. The CO2 is breathed out through the lungs and there is a proportional reduction of [HCO3-]. This alters the ratio, less H+ is buffered, and pH decreases.
What is the mechanism behind metabolic alkalosis?
If plasma [HCO3-] rises, e.g. from persistent vomiting, the ratio will be faltered, relatively more H+ is buffered, and pH increases.
What can cause a metabolic increase in [HCO3-]?
Persistent vomiting.
Generally, how is metabolic acidosis or alkalosis compensated for?
pCO2 is altered by the lungs to balance the ratio and restore pH. Changes in plasma pH drive changes in pCO2 by the peripheral chemoreceptors.
How is metabolic acidosis compensated for?
If [HCO3-] falls, pCO2 is lowered proportionally by increasing ventilation.
How is metabolic alkalosis partially compensated for?
If [HCO3-] rises, pCO2 is slightly raised by reducing ventilation to a point.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for respiratory acidaemia: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2?
pH low, pCO2 high, [HCO3-] normal, pO2 low.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for partially/fully compensated respiratory acidaemia: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2?
pH low or normal, pCO2 high, [HCO3-] high, pO2 low.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for respiratory alkalaemia: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2?
pH high, pCO2 low, [HCO3-] normal, pO2 normal or high.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for partially/fully compensated respiratory alkalaemia: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2?
pH high or normal, pCO2 low, [HCO3-] low, pO2 high.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for metabolic acidosis: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2, anion gap?
pH low, pCO2 normal, [HCO3-] low, pO2 normal, anion gap high.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for partially/fully compensated metabolic acidosis: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2, anion gap?
pH low or normal, pCO2 low, [HCO3-] low, pO2 high or normal, anion gap high.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for metabolic alkalosis: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2?
pH high, pCO2 normal, [HCO3-] high, pO2 normal.
What will the following arterial blood gas results be for partially/fully compensated alkalosis: pH, pCO2, [HCO3-], pO2?
pH high or normal, pCO2 high, [HCO3-] high, pO2 low or normal.
Where is a large fraction of HCO3- reabsorbed?
In the proximal convoluted tubule.
How is HCO3- reabsorbed in the PCT?
3Na2KATPase sets up a Na+ concentration gradient in PCT cells, H+ ions are pumped out of the apical membrane up their concentration gradient in exchange for the inward movement of Na+ down its concentration gradient. The H+ reacts with the filtered HCO3- to produce CO2 which enters the cell and reacts with water to produce H+ ions. The H+ is exported, recreating HCO3-, which crosses the basolateral membrane to enter the plasma.
Where is filtered HCO3- reabsorbed in the kidney?
80-90% in the PCT, up to 15% in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle.
How is H+ excreted in the distal convoluted tubule?
H+ is pumped across the apical membrane by H+-ATPase.
Why does H+ need to be actively transported in excretion in the distal convoluted tubule?
Because most HCO3- as been recovered and the Na+ gradient is insufficient to drive H+ secretion.