acid/base Flashcards
respiratory acidosis describes _____ blood pH and _____pCO2
low blood pH due to high CO2
how do the kidneys respond to respiratory acidosis?
resorb HCO3- and excrete more H+
respiratory acidosis is usually caused by ________________, secondary to what 3 things?
hypoventilation due to:
- drug overdose
- COPD/airway obstruction
- pulmonary edema
what are 2 symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
- breathlessness
2. stupor or coma
how is respiratory acidosis treated? (2)
- correct underlying problem
2. ventilate
what is respiratory alkalosis usually caused by? what are 2 situations this often occurs in?
usually caused by loss of CO2 due to hyperventilation:
- fever
- anxiety
what are the txt options for respiratory alkalosis? (2)
- slow down breathing rate
2. rebreathe in CO2(paper bag breathing)
what does respiratory alkalosis “feel” like?
pins + needles(paresthesia), lightheadedness, numbness
how do the kidneys compensate for resp. alkalosis?
excrete more HCO3, resorb more H+
what can cause someone to develop low HCO3- levels and metabolic acidosis? (4)
- renal failure
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- build up of lactic acid(excessive)
- diarrhea
how does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?
increases respiration(pushes equation to the left and exhales CO2)
metabolic acidosis can cause what heart problem? brain problem?
heart: decreased contractility
brain: coma
what should be done with electrolyte administration in a metabolically acidic patient?
maintain K, but decrease Cl in IV or PN
t/f: metabolic alkalosis patients demonstrate no symptoms
true
metabolic alkalosis is highly tied to what other condition?
hypokalemia (H+ and K+ are excreted together)
what are 3 things that will cause metabolic alkalosis?
- K wasting diuretics
- antacid overuse (tum’s)
- vomiting or NG suction (losing acid)
why does respiration decrease with metabolic alkalosis?
because trying to retain CO2 and shift equation right to make more H+
how fast do the lungs compensate for an acid/base imbalance? the kidneys?
lungs: mins to hrs
kidneys: over several days
what is the acid/base balance equation?
CO2 + H20 H2CO3 H+ + HCO3-
what is the important enzyme that converts CO2 and H20 into carbonic acid?
carbonic anhydrase
to diagnose acid base problem what should you do? (3 steps)
- look at pH– high or low?
- look at what is off– CO2 (lungs) or HCO3- (metabolic)?
- is the individual compensating in some way?
