Acid Base Flashcards
Arterial Blood Gases
- arterial pH, carbon dioxide tension (pCO2), oxygen tension (pO2), bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3-]), and percent oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2).
- The pH, pCO2, and the pO2 are measured directly from the sample.
- The bicarbonate value is calculated from the pH and pCO2 data using the HendersonHasselbalch equation
- In addition, some laboratories also calculate the percent oxyhemoglobin saturation from the measured pO2 value rather than measuring the saturation directly. This is done using the values obtained from an O2 dissociation curve.
- At UAMC, oxyhemoglobin saturation is measured directly and values for hemoglobin, methemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin are also reported routinely.
Basic Metabolic Panel
- Electrolytes (Na+ , K+ , Cl- , CO2**) are usually obtained as part of a “basic metabolic panel” (BMP), which includes creatinine, BUN, glucose and calcium in addition to the basic electrolytes.
- Electrolytes are also included in a “comprehensive metabolic panel” (CMP) or may be ordered individually.
Acid
•a molecule that releases hydrogen ions in solution. Acid: A substance that when added to a solution brings about an increase in [H+]
Base
•a molecule that can accept hydrogen ions. Base: A substance that when added to a solution brings about a decrease in [H+]
Buffer
•a substance that can reversibly bind hydrogen ions. pH—negative log (base 10) of the hydrogen ion concentration. Acidemia — An arterial pH below the normal range
Alkalemia
•An arterial pH above the normal range
Acidosis
•A process that tends to lower the extracellular fluid pH (hydrogen ion concentration increases). This can be caused by a fall in the serum [HCO3-] and/or an elevation in pCO2
Alkalosis
•A process that tends to raise the extracellular fluid pH (hydrogen ion concentration decreases). This can be caused by an elevation in the serum [HCO3-] and/or a fall in pCO2
Metabolic Acidosis
•A disorder that causes reductions in the serum [HCO3-] and pH
Metabolic Alkalosis
•A disorder that causes elevations in the serum [HCO3-] and pH
Respiratory Acidosis
•A disorder that causes an elevation in arterial pCO2 and a reduction in pH
Respiratory Alkalosis
•A disorder that causes a reduction in arterial pCO2 and an increase in pH
Simple Acid Base Disorder
•The presence of one of the above four disorders with the appropriate respiratory or renal compensation for that disorder
Mixed Acid Base Disorder
•The simultaneous presence of more than one acid-base disorder
Normal pH
7.38-7.42
Normal pCO2
38-42 mmHg
Normal [HCO3-]
22-26 mEq/L
Volatile Acid
•Volatile acids are defined as those acids which can be converted into a gaseous form and can thus be eliminated by the lungs. The primary volatile acid of the body is carbon dioxide which is produced in substantial amounts by the processes of cellular respiration
Nonvolatile
•A nonvolatile acid (also known as a fixed acid or metabolic acid) is an acid produced in the body from sources other than carbon dioxide, and is not excreted by the lungs. They are produced from e.g. an incomplete metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Henderson-Hasselbach Equation
pH = 6.1 + log HCO3/0.03 x pCO2
Note: pH is defined by the ratio of HC03- to pCO2 and not by the absolute value of either alone