6.2. Simple Acid/Base Disorders - Respiratory Acidosis

Question 1

What is Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 1

Acidosis of Respiratory Origin

Question 2

What causes Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 2

A reduced ventilation

Question 3

Why does a Reduced Ventilation cause Acidosis?

Answer 3

1. This causes an increase in PCO2

2. This causes the Retention of CO2

Question 4

What can cause Acute Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 4

1. Drugs which depress the medullary respiration centres (e.g. opiates and barbiturates)
2. Obstruction of major airways

Question 5

What can cause Chronic Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 5

Lung Disease (e.g bronchitis, emphysema, asthma)

Question 6

What happens due to Chronic Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 6

Renal response, to try and protect the pH

Question 7

What happens in the Renal Response to Chronic Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 7

1. The increase in PCO2 will lead to an increase in H+ ions
2. This causes an increase in blood bicarbonate concentration due to:
   a) renal glutaminase creating new bicarbonate
   b) increased reabsorption of bicarbonate

Question 8

Does the Renal Compensation correct the original disturbance?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Why does the renal response not correct the original disturbance?

Answer 9

As then there would be no drive to correct the respiratory dysfunction

Question 10

When do serious problems occur, for patients with Chronic Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 10

When renal failure occurs, as it is the kidney who is maintaining the pH