Acid base Flashcards
What is the difference between full compensation & partial compensation?
In full compensation, pH will be normal, but in partial compensation pH will move towards normal but not within normal range
What is the normal pH range of arterial blood ?
7.35-7.45
Name the 3 mechanism/buffers that regulate the Acid-base balance?
- Buffers: Act in seconds- Minutes
- Lungs: Act in Minutes- hours
- Kidneys: Act within days (strongest)
Which buffer system is the strongest and circulates in the blood stream where it is in equilibrium with H- & OH-; also coined as an extracellular buffer? & describe its mechanism of action
- Bicarbonate
- In the lungs, bicarbonate ions combine with a H- ion & lose a water molecule to form Co2, which is exhaled by the lungs.
Describe how the respiratory buffering system works to maintain pH levels (high & low)
Formula: H+ + HCO3- ↔ H2CO3 ↔ CO2 + H2O
- Increasing the respiratory rate will remove more carbon dioxide from the body – formula will shift to the right H+ will decrease = raise pH
- Decreasing the respiratory rate will retain CO2 – formula will shift to the left – H+ will increase = lower pH
Why is carbonic acid considered to be volatile?
Because carbonic acid is in equilibrium with CO2 which is volatile as it can be converted to a gas & be eliminated by the lungs
How do the kidneys respond to an acid base imbalance?
- By excreting hydrogen ions into urine & reabsorbing bicarbonate or regenerating new bicarbonate
What are non-volatile acids & how are they eliminated? & how does the renal system control pH?
- Nonvolatile acids: Can’t be converted to gas & are eliminated by the renal tubules
- Works by excreting or conserving hydrogen OR conserving or excreting bicarbonate
What are respiratory acidosis or alkalosis caused by? & What are metabolic acidosis or alkalosis caused by?
- Caused by the lungs
- Caused by anything except the lungs
In respiratory acidosis or alkalosis, which organ will try to compensate? & in metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. which organ will try to compensate?
Kidneys
Lungs
Which state defines the pH parameters of < 7.35
& Partial pressure of Carbon dioxide (PCO2) > 45 mm Hg?
What is it caused by?
& what are some other alterations that cause this state?
- Respiratory acidosis
- Caused by: Slow / shallow breathing (hypoventilation) or alveolar hypoventilation. Due to excess Co2 in the blood..Depression of respiratory center, paralysis of respiratory muscles, drug overdose causing depressed ventilation.
- Also, Decreased gas exchange in alveoli due to … Pneumonia, pulmonary edema, emphysema, asthma, bronchitis.
What are some signs & symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
- Decreases in Bp, muscle weakness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, restlessness, disorientation, & tremors
Which state defines the pH parameters of >7.45
& Partial pressure of Carbon dioxide (PCO2) < 35 mm Hg?
What is it caused by?
& what are some other alterations that cause this state?
Respiratory Alkalosis
- Caused by hyperventilation (anxiety, fever, panic attack), hypoxemia, pulmonary disease (asthma), heart failure, high altitude, & anemia
What are some signs & symptoms of respiratory alkalosis?
- PNS & CNS stimulated – dizziness, confusion, tingling in extremities, convulsions, seizures, & light headedness
Which state defines the pH parameters of < 7.35
& bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) < 22 mEq/L
What is it caused by?
Metabolic acidosis
- Excessive loss of HCO3- or too much H+, renal failure, diarrhea, diabetic ketoacidosis (due to blood sugar levels being very high, causing ketones (acid) build up in your blood), & starvation (Which produces excessive ketone bodies).
