Acid Base Balance

Question 1

Normal range of adult arterial blood is

Answer 1

7.35-7.45

Question 2

pH less than 7.35

Answer 2

Acidosis

Question 3

pH greater than 7.45

Answer 3

Alkalosis

Question 4

What are buffers?

Answer 4

Pairs of chemicals that work together to maintain normal pH

Question 5

Major buffer in ECF

Answer 5

Bicarbonate (HCO3)

Question 6

Bicarbonate buffers

Answer 6

Metabolic acid

Question 7

Ratio of bicarbonate acid to carbonic acid

Answer 7

20:1

Question 8

What are the body’s two acid excretion systems?

Answer 8

Lungs and Kidneys

Question 9

The lungs regulate

Answer 9

CO2 (excrete carbonic acid)

Question 10

The kidneys regulate

Answer 10

Bicarbonate (HCO3)

Question 11

What is PaCO2

Answer 11

The level of CO2 in the blood

Question 12

Increase in PaCo2 triggers

Answer 12

Deeper and faster respirations

Question 13

Decrease in PaCo2 triggers

Answer 13

Slow shallow respirations

Question 14

Kidneys compensate for

Answer 14

Respiratory acid base imablances

Question 15

Lungs compensate for

Answer 15

Metabolic acid base imbalances

Question 16

Acidosis is a condition in which

Answer 16

Blood is too acidic

Question 17

Alkalosis is a condition in which

Answer 17

Blood is too basic

Question 18

What is metabolic acidosis

Answer 18

When there is a decrease in bicarbonate. The kidneys are unable to excrete metabolic acids. pH falls.

Question 19

S/S of metabolic acidosis

Answer 19

HA
light headedness 
Confusion/drowsiness
Abdominal pain
Increased respirations
pH less than 7.35

Question 20

Causes of metabolic acidosis

Answer 20

Diarrhea
Uremia
Ketoacidosis (diabetes, starvation, alcoholism)

Question 21

What are the three D’s of metabolic acidosis

Answer 21

Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diarrhea
Dialysis

Question 22

What is metabolic alkalosis

Answer 22

Increase of a base (HCO3) or decrease of metabolic acids

Question 23

Causes of metabolic alkalosis

Answer 23

Vomiting 
Gastric suction
Massive blood transfusion
Excess aldosterone
Ingestion of HCO3 (antacids)

Question 24

S/S of metabolic alkalosis

Answer 24

Light headedness
Numbness and tingling of fingers
Confusion
Dizziness
Decreased respirations

Question 25

What is respiratory acidosis

Answer 25

Rises from alveolar hypoventilation. Lungs are unable to excrete enough CO2, PaCo2 rises and causes an excess of carbonic acid

Question 26

How do the kidneys compensate for respiratory acidosis

Answer 26

They increase excretion of metabolic acids in urine, which increases blood bicarbonate. This often takes 24hrs to show clinical effect and 3-5 days to reach a steady state.

Question 27

Decreased CSF pH and intracellular pH of brain cells cause

Answer 27

Decreased level of consciousness

Question 28

S/S of respiratory acidosis

Answer 28

``` HA Lightheadedness Confusion/lethargy Warm and flushed skin Increased repirations/pulse/BP ```

Question 29

Causes of respiratory acidosis

Answer 29

``` Inadequate ventilation Pulmonary edema Aspiration Sleep apnea Pneumonia Respiratory failure ```

Question 30

What is respiratory alkalosis

Answer 30

Rises from alveolar hyperventilation. The lungs excrete too much carbonic acid. PaCo2 decreases, pH rises.

Question 31

If the pH rises enough in respiratory alkalosis central nervous system

Answer 31

Depression occurs

Question 32

S/S of respiratory alkalosis

Answer 32

lightheadedness Inability to concentrate Tingling sensations Excitement

Question 33

Causes of respiratory alkalosis

Answer 33

``` Hyperventilation Anxiety Hypoxemia Acute pain Inappropriate ventilator settings ```

Question 34

Normal value for anion gap

Answer 34

5-11mEq/L

Question 35

Normal value for PaCo2

Answer 35

35-45

Question 36

Normal value for HCO3

Answer 36

22-26

Question 37

Normal value for PaO2

Answer 37

80-100

Question 38

Normal value for O2 sat

Answer 38

97% or >

Question 39

If CO2 follows pH

Answer 39

Respiratory problem

Question 40

If HCO3 follows pH

Answer 40

Metabolic

Question 41

CO2 below 35 is

Answer 41

alkalotic

Question 42

CO2 greater than 45

Answer 42

acidic

Question 43

When bicarbonate is normal

Answer 43

Uncompensated