A&P exam 2 - Acid Base Basics

Question 1

Respiratory acidosis

Answer 1

Due to excess CO2 (hypercapnia)
Develops when lungs don’t adequately ventilate CO2
pH below 7.35
PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg
Normal HCO3

Question 2

Respiratory alkalosis

Answer 2

Excessive reduction in CO2 (hypocapnia) which reduces H2CO3
Lungs eliminated too much CO2 (anxiety)
pH above 7.45
PaCO2 below 35 mm Hg
Normal HCO3 levels

Question 3

Metabolic acidosis

Answer 3

Either an increase in non-carbonic acids or or decrease in bicarbonate ions
When acidic substances or ingested substances are metabolized into an acid, inability of the kidney to secrete normal amounts of acid
pH below 7.35
PaCO2 = normal
HCO3 = below 22 m Eq/L

Question 4

Metabolic alkalosis

Answer 4

Loss of metabolic acids and increase in concentration of bicarbonate
Loss of stomach acid, excess loss of Na+ or K+, renal loss of [H+], gain of base
pH above 7.45
PaCO2 = normal
HCO3 = above 26 m Eq/L

Question 5

Normal range for blood pH

Answer 5

7.35-7.45

Question 6

Neutral for H2O

Answer 6

7.2

Question 7

Carbonic acid for bicarbonate buffer system

Answer 7

H2CO3

Question 8

Bicarbonate ions for bicarbonate buffer system

Answer 8

HCO3 + [H+]

Question 9

Which buffer system does the respiratory system use

Answer 9

Bicarbonate buffer system

Question 10

Hypoventilation

Answer 10

Deep breaths that keep CO2 in the blood creating carbonic acid and causing a drop in pH

Question 11

Hyperventilation

Answer 11

Shallow breaths that rapidly remove CO2 causing the blood pH to rise

Question 12

What does the renal system do

Answer 12

Absorb or secrete acids and bases
Detect using serum HCO3- levels

Question 13

Normal PaCO2 levels

Answer 13

35 - 45 mm Hg

Question 14

Normal HCO3 levels

Answer 14

22 - 26 m Eq/L

Question 15

Symptoms of acidosis in the CNS

Answer 15

Headache
Sleepiness
Confusion
Loss of consciousness
Coma

Question 16

Symptoms of acidosis in the Respiratory system

Answer 16

Shortness of breath
Coughing

Question 17

Symptoms of acidosis in the heart

Answer 17

Arrhythmia
Increased heart rate

Question 18

Symptoms of acidosis in the muscular system

Answer 18

Seizures
Weakness

Question 19

Symptoms of acidosis in the digestive system

Answer 19

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Question 20

Symptoms of Alkalosis in the CNS

Answer 20

Confusion
Light-headedness
Stupor
Coma

Question 21

Symptoms of alkalosis in the PNS

Answer 21

Head tremor
Numbness or tingling in the hands, face, or feet

Question 22

Symptoms of alkalosis in the muscular system

Answer 22

Twitching
Prolonged spasms

Question 23

Symptoms of alkalosis in the digestive system

Answer 23

Nausea
Vomiting

Question 24

Common causes of respiratory acidosis

Answer 24

Asthma
COPD
Severe obesity
Neuromuscular disorders

Question 25

Common causes of respiratory alkalosis

Answer 25

Head injury
Stroke
Anxiety-hyperventilation syndrome
Various drugs
Pneumonia
Asthma
Excessive controlled ventilation

Question 26

Common causes of metabolic alkalosis

Answer 26

Dehydration
Vomiting
Gastric suction
Taking excessive antacids
Hypercapnia

Question 27

Compensation in respiratory disorders

Answer 27

Kidneys must compensate because the lungs are already doing all that they can, renal response is slow

Question 28

Compensation in metabolic disorders

Answer 28

Respiratory must compensate because kidneys are tapped out, respiratory response is quick

Question 29

3 steps to determining acid base disorders

Answer 29

1. Determine acidosis/alkalosis
2. Determine respiratory or metabolic disorder
3. Determine if patient is attempting to compensate or not (answer is always yes)