Acid-Base Balance

Question 1

Respiratory Acidosis

a. The general cause
b. Three general causes of acute respiratory acidosis c. Three general causes of chronic respiratory acidosis

Answer 1

a. Inadequate ventilation/exchange in the lungs

b. Respiratory chemoreceptor depression
Neuromuscular disorders
Pulmonary edema

c. COPD
Cardiac disease
RDS

Question 2

Respiratory Alkalosis

a. The reasons why the two general causes (psychogenic stimulation and hypoxia/impaired
CNS control of respiration) cause respiratory alkalosis
b. At least three specific conditions associated with
each general causes in (a)

Answer 2

a. Psychogenic stimulation and hypoxia
b. Anxiety
Crying
Pregnancy

Pulmonary embolism
Alcoholism
Anemia

Question 3

Metabolic acidosis

a. Three general causes
b. At least two specific conditions associated with each
general cause

Answer 3

a. Increased addition of hydrogen ions
Reduced excretion of acids
Excessive loss of bicarbonate
b. Ketoacidosis
Lactic acidosis

Renal failure
Renal tubular acidosis

Increased excretion of bicarb
Decreased renal absorption of bicarb

Question 4

Metabolic alkalosis

a. Three general causes
b. At least two specific conditions associated with each general cause

Answer 4

a. Administration of excess alkali, hydrogen ion
loss, and potassium depletion
b. Bicarb intake
Multiple infusions

Prolonged vomiting
Nasogastic suctioning

Directic Therapy
Hyperaldosteronism