ACID/BASE BALANCE Flashcards
What is normal pH, CO2, and HCO3 (bicarbonate) levels?
- pH 7.35 to 7.45
• CO2 35 to 45
• HCO3 22 to 26
If pH is <7.35, the acid-base imbalance
is?
Acidotic
If pH is <7.45, the acid-base imbalance
is
Acidic
pH 7.3
HCO3 20
Metabolic Acidosis
pH 7.58
HCO3 32
Metabolic Alkalosis
PH 7.22
HCO3 35
Respiratory Acidosis
As the pH goes, so goes my patient, except for _________?
POTASSIUM
- everything is up: tachycardia, tachypnea, HTN, seizures, irritability, spastic,
diarrhea, borborygmi (increase bowel sounds), hyperreflexia (3+, 4+) • - However, potassium is opposite. Therefore, hypokalemia
- What is the nursing intervention?
o Pt need suctioning because of seizures
Systems are hyperirritable
pH > 7.45 / ALKALOSIS
- everything is down: bradycardia, constipation, absent bowel sounds, flaccid,
obtunded, lethargy, coma hyporeflexia (0, 1+), bradypnea, low BP • - However, potassium is high (hyperkalemia)
- What is the nursing intervention?
o Pt needs to be ventilated with an Ambu bag—respiratory arrest
< 7.35 / ACIDOSIS
Qhat is the rule of Bs (acid base balance)??
If pH and Bicarb move both in the same direction, then the acid-base
imbalance is metabolic … Otherwise, it is respiratory
What are the signs of acidosis?
Bradycardia
Constipation
Absent bowel sounds
Flaccid
Obtunded
Kethargy
Coma hyporeflexia (o, +1)
Bradypnea
Low BP
HYPERKALEMIA
What is the nursing intervention with acidosis?
Pt needs to be VENTILATED with AMBU BAG — BECAYSE ACIDOSIS CAN CAUSE RESPIRATORY ARREST
Kussmal -> MAC KUssmal
Why?
Metabolic ACidosis
It is a compensatory respiratory oattern
What are ECG changes with potassium level: 5.5
Widened QRS interval
Tall, peaked T waves
Prolonged PR interval
