Acid Base

Question 1

What does the acid-base balance depend on?

Answer 1

1. Hydrogen ion is needed to maintain membrane integrity & the SPEED of metabolic enzyme reactions
2. Slight changes in concentration of hydrogen ions (pH changes) can alter biologic process in cells and tissues

Question 2

What is the Acid Base Chemistry/ Production?

Answer 2

1. Acid can release hydrogen ions (HCl)
2. Bases accept hydrogen ions (HCO3-)
3. Body’s metabolism of food results in production of acids & bases
   - also Produces CO2 –> when combined in solution with water –> H2CO3
   - Kidney can conserve, form or excrete HCO3- as needed

Question 3

What is the regulation of pH– Plasma Buffers?

Answer 3

Chemical regulation is IMMEDIATE
1. Serum proteins can absorb or release H+ ions to correct the pH –amphoteric
2. Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate Buffer System: is the FIRST to react to pH change (within seconds)
3. H+ and K+ exchange

Question 4

When you think of O2, is that an acid or base? How about HCO3 (Bicarbonate)????!! Which systems do they correlate to????

Answer 4

C02 = Acid !! Respiratory!
HCO3 = Base !! Metabolic/Renal!!

Question 5

What does pH represents????!

Answer 5

Hydrogen ions

Question 6

Does pH have an inverse relationship with Hydrogen ions?? How?!!!

Answer 6

YES!! That means the higher amnt. of hydrogen ions you have = the lower the pH!!!

Question 7

What happens in the Hydrogen Potassium Exchange (H+ and K+ exchange)??

Answer 7

1. Cells buffer by exchanging H+ and K+ ions in and out of cell!!
2. Acidosis: EXCESS H+ will go inside cell, and cell will balance by sending K+ out!! (When acidosis is corrected they will exchange back).
   - RISK FOR HYPERKALEMIA!!
3. Alkalosis: Not enough H+ in serum, so it moves OUTSIDE THE CELL, exchanging for K+ to then go inside!
   - a person that’s alkalodic are at RISK FOR HYPOKALEMIA!!

Question 8

Describe the role of the Respiratory System in acid-base balance??

Answer 8

Lungs (MINUTES TO HOURS to balance!!)
1. Can control CO2 by rate & depth of respiration
2. CO2 + H20<–> H2CO3 <–> H+ + HCO3-
3. Acid pH (excess H+ ions) stimulates respiratory center CHEMORECEPTORS. Then..
4. Rate & depth of resp increases, “Blowing off” more CO2, which gets rid of a part of the acid (CO2) molecule, balancing!

Question 9

Describe the role of the Renal System in acid-base balance??

Answer 9

Kidneys (FEW HOURS TO DAYS to balance!)
1. Reabsorb or excrete bicarbonate (base)
2. Excrete H+ ions by adding to phosphate or ammonia, then excretes the compound

Question 10

What are the ABG (arterial blood gas) normal values??!!

Answer 10

(LOW) (HIGH)
Acid <– pH: 7.35 -7.45 –> Alkalodic
Alk <– CO2: 35 - 45 –> Acid
Acid <– HCO3- : 22 -26 –> Alkalodic

Question 11

What is Arterial blood gases?

Answer 11

1. pH shows acid-base balance
2. CO2 shows LUNG ventilation, remember CO2 = acid
3. O2 doesn’t affect pH, but shows lung effectiveness
4. Normal 02 sat: >94%
5. Bicarbonate: reflects RENAL ability to balance pH by excreting or reabsorbing a base

Question 12

What does each acid-base imbalances mean/caused by?

Answer 12

1. Respiratory Acidosis:
   - Hyperventilation
2. Respiratory Alkalosis:
   - Hypoventilation
3. Metabolic Acidosis:
   - Kidneys unable to secrete enough acids
4. Metabolic Alkalosis:
   - Direct increase of base or decrease in acid

Question 13

What pH values are considered to be Normal alkalosis and Normal acidosis???!

Answer 13

pH: 7.35 - 7.45
Mean: 7.4
SOOOO…

Normal Acidosis = pH 7.35-7.4
Normal Alkalosis = pH 7.4-7.45