Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
Respiratory imbalances affect:
carbonic acid concentration
Metabolic imbalances affect:
base bicarbonate
Acidosis can be caused by:
Increase in carbonic acid - respiratory acidosis
Decrease in bicarbonate - metabolic acidosis
Alkalosis can be caused by:
Decrease in carbonic acid - respiratory alkalosis
Increase in bicarbonate - metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory Acidosis is:
Carbonic acid excess
Respiratory acidosis occurs with:
Explain further
Hypoventilation
Hypoventilation results in a buildup of CO2; subsequently, carbonic acid accumulates in the blood.
Carbonic acid dissociates, causing liberation of H-, and pH decreases.
If CO2 is not eliminated from the blood, acidosis results from the accumulation of carbonic acid.
Respiratory alkalosis occurs with:
Explain further
Hyperventilation
The decrease in arterial CO2 levels leads to a decrease in carbonic acid concentration in the blood and an increase in pH.
Hyperventilation can occur as a physiological response to metabolic acidosis and increased metabolic demands (e.g. in a state of fever)
Respiratory alkalosis is:
Carbonic acid deficit
The primary cause of respiratory alkalosis
Hypoxemia from acute pulmonary disorders
Metabolic acidosis is:
Base bicarbonate deficit
Metabolic acidosis occurs when:
Acids other than carbonic acid accumulate in the body (e.g. ketoacid, lactic acid)
OR
When bicarbonate is lost from body fluids. (e.g. diarrhea, kidneys can’t reabsorb bicarbonate)
Metabolic Alkalosis is:
Base bicarbonate excess
Metabolic Alkalosis occurs when:
Occurs when acid is lost (as a result of prolonged vomiting or gastric suction)
Or
When bicarbonate increases (from ingestion of baking soda) occurs.
Mnemonic ROME for ABG Values
R - Respiratory
O - Opposite
M - Metabolic
e - Equal
In respiratory conditions, the pH and the PaCO2 are:
In opposite directions (RO)
In respiratory alkalosis, the pH is ↑ and the PaCo2 is ↓
In respiratory acidosis, the pH is ↓ and the PaCo2 is ↑
