Acid Base

Question 1

Causes of metabolic alkalosis

Answer 1

Too much bicarb or too little hydrogen ions

Too much bicarb from INGESTION
Too little hydrogen ions from LOSS aka VOMITING from pyloric stenosis

OR HYPOKALEMIA aka low potassium

Question 2

Causes of metabolic acidosis

Answer 2

Too much hydrogen being produced -> DKA
Too little being excreted -> renal tubular acidosis
Too much bicarb loss -> intestinal fistula

Question 3

Causes of respiratory acidosis

Answer 3

CO2 retention -> COPD
poor ventilation
poor perfusion -> PE
poor gas exchange

Question 4

Causes of respiratory alkalosis

Answer 4

CO2 being blown off too much -> anything that stimulates the respiratory centre, such as ASPIRIN in OVERDOSE

Hyperventilation

Mechanical ventilation

Question 5

Give one example of bicarb loss

Answer 5

Intestinal fistula

Question 6

Give one example of hyperexcretion of hydrogen ions

Answer 6

Renal tubular acidosis

Question 7

Give one example of too much hydrogen being produced

Answer 7

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Question 8

What ABG picture does an intestinal fistula cause?

Answer 8

Metabolic acidosis

Question 9

What does a lack of potassium cause in an ABG?

Answer 9

Metabolic alkalosis

Question 10

Pyloric stenosis - what can it cause?

Answer 10

Metabolic alkalosis