a chlorine crisis is ghetto 🙄 Flashcards
what is the normal pH range for blood in the human body?
7.35 - 7.45
what happens if the blood’s pH falls below 7.35?
acidosis.
what happens if the blood’s pH rises above 7.45?
alkalosis.
what is the bicarbonate buffer system?
the bicarbonate buffer system helps maintain a stable blood pH by balancing hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻).
what is the chemical equation for the bicarbonate buffer system?
the chemical equation is:
CO₂ + H₂O ⇌ H₂CO₃ ⇌ H⁺ + HCO₃⁻
how does bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) “soak up” excess H⁺ ions in the blood?
bicarbonate reacts with hydrogen ions (H⁺) to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which then quickly dissociates into CO₂ and water, reducing acidity in the blood.
why is the bicarbonate buffer system reversible?
the bicarbonate buffer system is reversible because it can go in either direction to balance blood pH: bicarbonate absorbs H⁺ to reduce acidity or carbonic acid releases H⁺ to lower pH.
how does the bicarbonate buffer system help maintain a stable pH in the blood?
when the blood becomes too acidic (low pH), bicarbonate absorbs excess H⁺, forming carbonic acid. when the blood becomes too basic (high pH), carbonic acid releases H⁺ to increase acidity, balancing pH.
what role does carbon dioxide (CO₂) play in the bicarbonate buffer system?
CO₂ reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃). Increased CO₂ causes more carbonic acid to form, which releases H⁺ and lowers pH, making the blood more acidic.
how does the body get rid of excess CO₂ produced by the bicarbonate buffer system?
exhaling.
what would happen if there were not enough bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) in the blood?
without enough bicarbonate, the blood would not be able to neutralize excess H⁺ ions effectively, leading to acidosis.
what effect does the bicarbonate buffer system have on blood when it’s too acidic?
when the blood is too acidic, bicarbonate reacts with hydrogen ions (H⁺) to form carbonic acid, which reduces the number of H⁺ ions, raising the pH and making the blood less acidic.
is carbonic acid a permanent step in the bicarbonate buffer system?
no. it is a “middle-man” step that always dissociates.
what is chloride?
chloride is a negatively charged ion (and electrolyte) that plays a role in acid-base balance, fluid regulation, and digestion.
what is the normal chloride range in the blood?
95-105 mEq/L
what regulates chloride levels in the body?
the kidneys, sweat, and gastrointestinal (gi) juices.
what electrolytes have a significant relationship with chloride?
sodium, bicarbonate, and potassium.
what is hypochloremia?
hypochloremia is a condition where chloride levels in the blood are lower than 95 mEq/L
what are the main causes of hypochloremia?
gi losses (vomiting, suctioning, diarrhea, ileostomy).
diuretics (ex: thiazides).
burns. (fluid loss means chloride loss).
cystic fibrosis (loss of chloride in all that sweat).
fluid overload. (dilutes chloride)
metabolic alkalosis (blood wants high bicarbonate levels to absorb the excess H+, but bicarbonate has an inverse relationship with chloride).
s / s of hypochloremia?
overlap with hyponatremia symptoms.
dehydration signs (increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure).
fever.
vomiting, diarrhea.
lethargy, confusion.
what is the relationship between hypochloremia and bicarbonate?
they have an inverse relationship; when chloride is low, bicarbonate is high.
interventions for hypochloremia?
l.o.s.s.:
l: look at sodium levels and signs of hyponatremia.
o: other labs (high bicarbonate and low potassium).
s: saline (normal 0.9% saline).
s: sources of chloride-rich foods (e.g., table salt, tomatoes, olives, seafood, processed meats).
what iv fluid is given for hypochloremia?
normal 0.9% saline (to infuse sodium and chloride into the blood).
what is hyperchloremia?
hyperchloremia is a condition where chloride levels in the blood are higher than 105 mEq/L
