Acid-base Flashcards
Normal H concentration is; every change of _____ pH units represents a change in H by a factor of _____
40 nmol/L, or .00004 mmol/L;
.3, 2
Like other important ions, only
free H ion is physiologically active
Sponges: when H concentration is high (pH low); when H concentration is low (pH high)
H sponges absorb hydrogen and decrease free H concentration;
H sponges release H and increase the free H concentration
____ is the primary buffer in the body:
- if pH is low, bicarb binds excess H forming H2CO3, which breaks down into water and CO2
- if pH is high, water and CO2 combine to form H2CO3 which breaks down into bicarb and H
HH equation:
pH = pKa + log10 [bicarb]/alpha x pCO2
The Mantra:
Acidity = Bicarb/CO2 (A = B/CD)
Two independent variables in mantra; 4 different disorders:
Bicarb and CO2;
- increase bicarb: metabolic alkalosis
- decrease CO2: respiratory alkalosis
- decrease bicarb: metabolic acidosis
- Increase CO2: respiratory acidosis
In metabolic disorders, the lungs; in respiratory disorder, the kidney
modify the PCO2;
modifies serum HCO3
Compensation always
in same direction as primary disorder
Metabolic acidosis/alkalosis:
have bicarb, pCO2, pH go down/up;
Respiratory alkalosis/acidosis:
pCO2 down, bicarb down, pH up; pCO2 up, bicarb up, pH down
Because of the law of mass action:
compensatory responses do not results in a normal pH; if the patient has a normal pH and both low pCO2/HCO3, that’s a big tip-off for a mixed acid-base disorder
Order of looking at values to determine the acid-base disorder:
- pH greater or less than 7.4
- Determine if pH, bicarb, CO2 up or down in same direction if metabolic; pH, bicarb, CO2 move in discordant directions is respiratory
Direction of compensation is determined by the; magnitude of the compensation is determined by the
direction of the primary disorder;
magnitude of the primary disorder
Winter’s Formula:
1.5 x HCO3 + 8 +/- 2;
if expected pCO2 is in range, you have simple metabolic acidosis;
if pCO2 is above expected, you have additional RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS