6.6. Simple Acid/Base Disorders - Acute vs Chronic

Question 1

Is there a smaller or larger change in pH in acute respiratory acidosis?

Answer 1

Larger

Question 2

Is there a smaller or larger change in pH in chronic respiratory acidosis?

Answer 2

Smaller

Question 3

Why is there a smaller pH decrease in chronic respiratory acidosis, in comparison with acute?

Answer 3

Due to the NH3 mechanism of producing bicarbonate taking 4-5 days to fully turn on.

Question 4

What is used to initially raise the bicarbonate concetration?

Answer 4

Titratable acid (in the urine)

Question 5

What is the problem of using titratable acid to raise the bicarbonate concentration?

Answer 5

It is limited, so with time NH3 production is used

Question 6

Does respiratory alkalosis work by a similar mechanism to respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 6

Yes, it is also delayed due to the time taken to turn off the NH3 mechanism

Question 7

How quickly do respiratory compensations occur, in comparison with renal compensations?

Answer 7

Very quickly - in minutes rather than hours