ACID-BASE

Question 1

What is the important equation relating to acid base balance?

Answer 1

H + HCO3 H2CO3 H20 + CO2

Question 2

What is acidosis and alkalosis?

Answer 2

Acidosis- Increase in H+ concentration

Alkalosis- Decrease in H+ concentration

Question 3

What is the respiratory component that regulates acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 3

pCO2

Question 4

What is the metabolic component that regulates acidosis/ alkalosis?

Answer 4

HCO3

Question 5

Using the gasses above, what is respiratory and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis?

Answer 5

1. Respiratory
   - Acidosis: too much H+ due to higher PCO2
   - Alkalosis: less H+ due to lower PCO2
2. Metabolic
   - Acidosis: too much H+ due to lower HCO3-
   - Alkalosis: too little H+ due to too high HCO3-

Question 6

What are the compensation mechanisms for

1) Respiratory Acidosis
2) Metabolic Acidosis

Answer 6

1) Respiratory- Release more CO2

2) Metabolic- too much CO2, release more H+

Question 7

What things cause Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 7

COPD
decompensation in other respiratory conditions e.g. life-threatening asthma / pulmonary oedema
sedative drugs: benzodiazepines, opiate overdose

Question 8

What things can cause Respiratory Alkalosis?

Answer 8

anxiety leading to hyperventilation
pulmonary embolism
salicylate poisoning*
CNS disorders: stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, encephalitis
altitude
pregnancy