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
what are the main causes of hyperchloremia?
excess sodium intake.
dehydration.
low bicarbonate levels (metabolic acidosis).
conn syndrome (high aldosterone).
medications (corticosteroids).
what are the signs and symptoms of hyperchloremia?
overlap with hypernatremia symptoms:
fatigue.
restlessness, confusion.
increased reflexes and respirations.
seizures and coma.
extreme thirst.
dry mouth and skin.
interventions for hyperchloremia?
h.i.g.h. c.l.:
h: hold sodium chloride infusions and restrict sodium-rich foods.
i: instead use lactated ringers (lr).
c: collect intake and output (i&o), daily weights, and vital signs.
l: labs to monitor chloride, sodium, bicarbonate, and potassium levels.
why are lactated ringers used for hyperchloremia?
lr contains lactate, which converts to bicarbonate in the body, lowering chloride levels.
how does sodium affect chloride levels?
sodium and chloride levels usually rise and fall together.
how does bicarbonate affect chloride levels?
they have an inverse relationship; when one increases, the other decreases.
what is an electrolyte?
a salt, acid, or base that dissolves into cations or anions in water to produce a solution that conducts electricity due to the ions carrying positive or negative electrical charges.
what is metabolic alkalosis?
a condition where the blood becomes too alkaline due to excess bicarbonate or loss of acid.
what is mEq/L?
so mEq/L is a unit of measurement that tells how many electrically charged ions are in a liter of a solution.
what does the “equivalent” part mean in mEq/L?
the “equivalent” part stems from how many ions would be needed to replace / have the same chemical effect as one mole of H+ or one mole of OH-.
what does it mean for chloride to have a “significant relationship” with other electrolytes?
chloride is said to have a “significant relation” with other electrolytes due to the interconnected nature of these ions in maintaining electrical neutrality, fluid balance, and acid-base regulation.
what is thiazide?
commonly prescribed diuretics used to manage high blood pressure and fluid retention. they work by reducing sodium and water retention in the kidneys, leading to increased urine output.
what is a diuretic?
a type of medication that promotes the increased production of urine, which helps the body get rid of excess salt (sodium) and water.
