Acid Base Balance Flashcards
What is respiratory acidosis
blood pH decreases d/t increased CO2 levels
What are the values of resp acidosis
pH<7.35; CO2>45
S/S of resp acidosis
Headache
confusion
drowsiness
coma (severe)
Causes of resp acidosis
Airway obstruction
Acute/chronic lung disease
Sedatives/Opioid OD
Resp muscle weakness: trauma or obesity
What happens when CO2 accumulates in the blood?
leads to formation of Carbonic acid which dissociates to H+ and HCO3-; adds more H+ ions thus lowering the pH
What is Respiratory Alkalosis
Increase in pH d/t decreased CO2 levels
What are the values of resp alkalosis
pH >7.45; CO2 < 35
Causes of resp alkalosis
Initial phase of salicylate OD
Pulmonary Embolism
panic attacks (hyperventilation)
S/S of resp alkalosis
Dizziness
numbness
muscle spasms
sometimes LOC
Compensatory mechanism for Resp alkalosis
kidneys excrete bicarb
Compensatory mechanism for resp acidosis
kidneys reabsorb bicarb and excrete H+
What is metabolic acidosis?
decreased pH due to excessive acid production/intake or bicarb loss
lab values in metabolic acidosis
pH < 7.35; HCO3- <22
compensatory mechanism in metabolic acidosis
increase in RR to blow off CO2
causes of metabolic acidosis
DKA
CKD (renal impairment)
ingestion of Ethylene glycol
severe diarrhea (loss of HCO3-)
S/S of metabolic acidosis
Kussmaul respirations
fatigue
confusion
shock(severe)
What is metabolic alkalosis
pH increases d/t excess HCO3- or loss of acid
lab values in metabolic alkalosis
pH >7.45; HCO3- >26
causes of metabolic alkalosis
GI loss (vomiting, NG suction)
diuretics
Hypokalemia (causes H+ to move into cells making blood more alkalotic)
Excessive intake of antiacids
S/S of metabolic alkalosis
irritability
muscle cramps/twitching
arrhythmias
Compensatory mechanism in metabolic alkalosis
decrease in RR to retain CO2 and make blood more acidic
Normal Values for ABG
pH 7.35-7.45
CO2 34-45 mm Hg
HCO3- 22-26 mEq/L
