Acid Base Flashcards
What is the normal range for arterial blood pH
7.35-7.45
What is ABG stand for? What does it test?
Arterial Blood Gas
Tests for CO2, O2, pH
What are normal pH values for venous blood?
7.31-7.41
What are the four major changes that are caused by pH extremes
- Hormones and enzymes denature
- Shifts electrolytes causing F&E imbalances
- Changes the excitability of membranes
- Decreases the effectiveness of drugs and hormones
What are the three roles of the nurse r/t acid-base imbalance
- Prevent disorders
- Detect disorders
- Know the interventions
What is the function of an acid?
It releases hydrogen when it dissolves in water
Donates hydrogen ion
What is the function of a base?
Binds to hydrogen when dissolved in water
Receives Hydrogen Iron
What type of acid is HCl? Give the formula
Strong
HCl + H2O H+ + Cl + H2O
What type of acid is Acetic acid? what is its formula?
Weak acid
CH3COOH + H2O H+ + CH3COO- + H2O
What is a buffer?
something that can accept/release hydrogen ions
What are the two classifications of buffer system?
Chemical and Physiologic
For every 1 point change in pH the substance has a concentration of H+ _____ times more/less than before
100
What is the lowest pH before death?
6.9
What is the highest pH before death?
7.8
What four things can lead to Metabolic Acidosis?
- Over production of H+
- Under-elimination of H+
- Unproduction of Bicarb
- Over elimination of Bicarb
What 3 things can cause an over production of H+?
- Excessive breakdown of fatty acids
- Anaerobic glucose breakdown (lactic acidosis)
- Excessive intake of acids
Where does most H+ loss occur?
Lungs and Kidneys
What two things can cause under-elimination of H+?
- Kidney tubules cant excrete H+
- Lungs retain CO2 which corresponds with H+ retention
What can cause underproduction of Bicarb Ions?
Impaired liver or pancreatic function
What is a base deficit?
a low bicarb level
What can cause an over-elimination of bicarbonate?
Diarrhea
What is the most influential base in the body
Bicarb
What buffer system is the first line of defense? This is also the strongest in the body
Chemical buffers
What are the three chemical buffer systems in the body?
- Bicarb/carbonic acid
- Phosphate buffer system
- Protein Buffer system
The body likes to keep what ratio of Bicarb to acid?
20:1
The bicarb buffer system is tied to what body systems?
Respiratory and Renal
What is the formula for the Bicarb buffer system?
CO2 + H2O <> H2CO3 <> H+ + HCO3
What two things in the body are considered H+ sponges?
Bicarb and Phosphates
Where does the phosphate buffer system act?
In bothe the IFC and the EFC
Where does the phosphate buffer system occur the most?
in the renal tubules
What is the function of the phosphate buffer system?
To help excrete acid
What is the formula for the phosphate buffer system?
H+ + HPO4 <> H2PO4 (which can be excreted)
What proteins are used in the protein buffer system?
Hemoglobin, Albumin, and other globulins
the actions of the chemical buffers occur within _____
seconds
The two types of physiological buffers are?
Respiratory and Renal
What is the second line of defense buffer?
Respiratory
How fast does the respiratory buffer system kick in?
2-3 minutes
Unlike the chemical buffer system. respiratory buffer systems need _____ to kick in
Energy and effort
What is the main action of the respiratory buffer system?
To adjust ventilation in response to changing pH levels
Explain the process of the respiratory buffer system.
- Medulla detects change in pH
- changes respiratory rate
- amount of CO2 is then adjusted via ventilation