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Respiratory physiology > Acid base balance 2 - acidosis and alkalosis > Flashcards

Acid base balance 2 - acidosis and alkalosis Flashcards

1
Q

what is the** respiratory response** to acidosis (ie increase in CO2 in blood)?

A
  • the acidic blood stimulates the medullary respiratory centre in brain
  • the brain increases the speed and depth of breathing
  • an increase in ventilation increases the amount of CO2 exhaled which decreases the CO2 in the blood and therefore increases the PH (ie PH is more alkaline)
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2
Q

What is the** respiratory response** to alkalosis?

A
  • alkalosis - decrease in CO2 in blood - PH = alkaline
  • the rate and depth of breathing** reduces**
  • therefore there is a** reduction in CO2 eliminated ** and increase in CO2 in fluids
  • therefore a decreased ventilation decreases the amount of CO2 exhaled which **increases CO2 in blood and therefore PH is more acidic **
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3
Q

What is the** definition of acidosis**?

rememeber - PH value is important

A
  • A PH below 7.35
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4
Q

what are the 2 types of acidosis?

A
  1. respiratory
  2. metabolic
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5
Q

what is the definition of alkalosis?

A
  • PH above 7.45
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6
Q

what is respiratory / metabolic acidosis or alkalosis dependent on?

A

the **ratio **of HCO3- : PCO2

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7
Q

what are examples of symptoms associated with acidosis?

A
  • depressed CNS
  • coma
  • disorientated
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8
Q

what are examples of symptoms associated with alkalosis?

A
  • hyperexcitability of CNS
  • spasms, tetany and convulsions (uncontrollable muscle contractions)
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9
Q

What are the axis’ of the davenport diagram?

A
  • on the Y axis - there is the plasma concentration of HCO3-
  • on the X axis, there is the PH
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10
Q

what does the davenport diagram describe?

A
  • This diagram describes the relationship between [HCO3-], PH and PCO2
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11
Q

On the davenport diagram, if the [HCO3-] is raised, what occurs?

A

if the [HCO3-] is raised, the PH increases (ie more alkaline)

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12
Q

on the davneport diagram, if the [HCO3-] is decreased, what occurs?

A

if the [HCO3-] decreaes, the PH decreases (more acidic)

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13
Q

what are examples of causes of respiratory acidosis?

A
  • hypoventilation - depression of respiratory centre (not breathing fast enough)
  • asphyxia (eg when airway is physically blocked)
  • asthma
  • severe emphysema (sacs in lungs are damaged)
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14
Q

Is there an increase or decrease in PCO2 for respiratory acidosis?

A
  • increase in PCO2
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15
Q

what happens to the ratio of HCO3-:PCO2 and the PH during respiratory acidosis?

A

both decrease

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16
Q

what is important to note about the [HCO3-] when the PCO2 rises?

A

whenever the PCO2 rises, the [HCO3-] must also increase to some extent because of the dissociation of the carbonic acid produced

17
Q

what are the compensatory responses to respiratory acidosis?

lungs + kidney

A
  • hyperventilation initially- decreases CO2 as more is eliminated and increases PH - more alkaline
  • kidney responds by conserving HC03- which moves the ratio back up toward its normal level
18
Q

what are the causes of respiratory alkalosis?

A
  • increased elimination of CO2
  • hyperventilation
  • emotion - anxiety - panic attacks
  • high altitude
  • lung diseases eg asthma
19
Q

is there a decrease or increase in PCO2 in respiratory alkalosis?

A

a decrease in PCO2

20
Q

what happens to the PH and HC03-:PCO2 ratio in respiratory alkalosis?

A
  • increase in PH - ie more alkaline
  • increase HCO3-:PCO2 ratio
21
Q

what are the compensatory responses to respiratory alkalosis?

A
  • hypoventilation which increases CO2 and decreases PH
  • kidney excretes HCO3- and restores the ratio of HCO3-: PCO2
22
Q

what is metabolic acidosis?

A
  • ‘metabolic’ means a primary change in HCO3-
  • the ratio of HCO3-:PCO2 falls and therefore depresses the PH
23
Q

what are the causes of metabolic acidosis?

A
  • the HCO3- may be lowered by the accumulation of acids in the blood eg in uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or after tissue hypoxia (lactic acid)
24
Q

what are the compensatory response to metabolic acidosis?

A
  • the respiratory compensation - hyperventilation - which decreases CO2 as more is eliminated
  • PH is increased - more alkaline
25
Q

what is metabolic alkalosis?

A
  • increase in HCO3- raises the HCO3:PCO2 ratio and therefore increases the PH
26
Q

what are examples of the causes of metabolic alkalosis?

A
  • excessive ingestion of alkaline substances
  • acidic urine - from drugs like diuretics
27
Q

what are the **compenasatory responses **to metabolic aklalosis?

A
  • hypoventilation - occasionally
  • this increases CO2 as less is eliminated and decreases PH
  • kidney also excretes HCO3- and restores ratio of HCO3:PCO2

Respiratory physiology (17 decks)

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