Acid/Base Balance

Question 1

describe what is being regulated and why

Answer 1

hydrogen ion concentration [H+] and pH;
60 milimol of H+ produced by metabolism daily, this all excreted vi urine (urine is acidic)
[H+] is 35-45 nonomol/L

Question 2

describe the buffering of H+

Answer 2

equilibrium reaction of bicarbonate;
a buffer system of H+
carbonic acid (H2CO3) is removed as CO2
the only limit is the initial concentration of HCO3

Question 3

describe the respiratory component

Answer 3

pCO2

the primary change is in PCO2

Question 4

describe the metabolic component

Answer 4

HCO3

the primary change is in HCO3

Question 5

describe acidaemia

Answer 5

increase in hydrogen ion concentration

Question 6

describe alkalaemia

Answer 6

decrease in hydrogen ion concentration

Question 7

describe acidosis

Answer 7

increase in hydrogen ion concentration, or a process tending to cause an increase in hydrogen ion concentration

Question 8

describe alkalosis

Answer 8

a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration or a process tending to cause a decrease in hydrogen ion concentration

Question 9

describe respiratory acidosis

Answer 9

increase in hydrogen ion concentration due to increased pCO2

Question 10

describe respiratory alkalosis

Answer 10

decrease in hydrogen ion concentration due to decrease in pCO2

Question 11

describe metabolic acidosis

Answer 11

increase in hydrogen ion concentration due to decrease in HCO3-

Question 12

describe metabolic alkalosis

Answer 12

decrease in hydrogen ion concentration due to increase in HCO3-

Question 13

describe the problem of too much H+

Answer 13

respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis - lungs will blow off CO2

Question 14

describe the problem of too much CO2

Answer 14

metabolic compensation for respiratory acidosis - the kidneys get rid of H+ and reclaim HCO3-

Question 15

describe the problem of too little H+

Answer 15

(reactions pulled rather than pushed)

Question 16

describe the problem of too little CO2

Answer 16

(reactions pulled rather than pushed)

Question 17

describe causes of respiratory acidosis

Answer 17

choking, bronchopneumonia, COAD

Question 18

describe causes of respiratory alkalosis

Answer 18

hysterical breathing, mechanical over ventilation, raised intracranial pressure

Question 19

describe causes of metabolic acidosis

Answer 19

impaired H+ excretion, increased H+ production or ingestion, loss of HCO3-

Question 20

describe causes of metabolic alkalosis

Answer 20

loss of H+ in vomit, alkali ingestion, potassium deficiency