Acid Base Balances Flashcards
What are the three major chemicals that make up acid base balances?
Bicarb (base)
Hydrogen (Acid)
CO2 (acid) — Carbonic acid
What is the major lung chemical?
CO2 (acid)
What are the two major kidney chemicals?
Bicarb (base)
Hydrogen (acid)
What is a normal pH range?
7.35 to 7.45
If pH is less than 7.35 we call that what?
Acidotic
If pH is greater than 7.45 we call that what?
Alkalotic (basic)
An acidotic person will appear ______.
Lethargic
An alkalotic person will appear ______.
Excitable; nervous system
What compensating organ can remove excess acid and bicarb by excreting them through the urine or retain hydrogen and bicarb by returning it to the blood?
How long does it take to do this?
The kidneys
Can take hours to days to do their job
How do the lungs get rid of or retain CO2?
Monitoring rate of exhalation
What happens when the lungs use hyperventilation to compensate for an acid base imbalance?
Hyperventilation decreases CO2 which leads to alkalosis
What happens when the lungs use hypoventilation to compensate for an acid base imbalance?
Hypoventilation increases CO2 and leads to acidosis
In respiratory acidosis which organ has a problem?
The lungs
In respiratory acidosis Which organ is going to compensate?
The kidneys
In respiratory acidosis Which chemical is causing the problem?
CO2
In respiratory acidosis Is there too much or too little CO2?
Too much
In respiratory acidosis Is the client hypoventilating or hyperventilating?
Hypoventilating
In respiratory acidosis The kidneys are compensating with what two chemicals?
Bicarb and hydrogen
In respiratory acidosis the body must do what to retain bicarb?
Excrete hydrogen
In respiratory acidosisIs is the pH high or low?
Low
In respiratory acidosis what issues could cause the lungs to retain CO2?
Pain can lead to shallow breaths and is also seen in mid abdominal incision, narcotics, sleeping pills, pneumothorax, collapsed lung, and pneumonia.
What acid base imbalance can be caused by pneumothorax, Collapsed lung, or pneumonia?
Respiratory acidosis
What acid base imbalance presents as a headache, confusion, or sleepiness?
Respiratory acidosis
If respiratory acidosis is not corrected it could lead to what?
Coma
What acid base imbalance Presents as LOC going down, CO2 increasing, and O2 decreasing? (Hypoxia)
Respiratory acidosis
What are the early signs of hypoxia and how do you treat it?
Restlessness and tachycardia
Give O2
What are seven nursing interventions for pneumonia to fix the lung problems and improve breathing?
Postural drainage
Percussion via vibration therapy
Deep breathing exercises, TCDB
Suctioning
Increase fluids
Elevate head of bed
Encourage incentive spirometry
In respiratory alkalosis which organ has a problem?
Lungs
In respiratory alkalosis does the client have too much or too little CO2 in the body?
Too little
And respiratory alkalosis is the client hypoventilating or hyperventilating?
Hyperventilating
And respiratory alkalosis is the client gaining or losing CO2?
Losing
In compensating for respiratory alkalosis the kidneys are excreting _____ and retaining ______.
Excreting bicarb
Retaining hydrogen
And respiratory alkalosis is the pH high or low?
High
What acid-based imbalance is seen in hysterical hyperventilation?
Respiratory alkalosis
What acid-based imbalance is seen with acute Aspirin overdose?
Respiratory alkalosis
What acid-based imbalance Presents with signs and symptoms of lightheaded or faint feeling, perry oral numbness, numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes?
Respiratory alkalosis
What are the three main Nursing interventions for respiratory alkalosis?
May have to sedate client to decrease respiratory rate
Treat the cause; hysteria or aspirin overdose
Monitor ABGs
In metabolic acidosis which organ has a problem?
Kidneys
In metabolic acidosis what chemical will the lungs use to compensate?
CO2
In metabolic acidosis is there too much or too little bicarb in the body?
Too little
In metabolic acidosis is there too much or too little hydrogen in the body?
Too much
In metabolic acidosis is the pH low or high?
Low
In metabolic acidosis will the respiratory rate increase or decrease to get rid of acid?
Increase
What acid-based imbalance Is seen in DKA or starvation?
Metabolic acidosis
The cells are starving because glucose is not available. The body will break down fat for energy. As a result of fat breakdown, ketones (acids) are produced causing acidosis.
What acid-based imbalance is seen with renal failure?
Metabolic acidosis
What acid-based imbalance is seen in severe diarrhea?
Metabolic acidosis
(lower GI, think losing base).
What acid-based imbalance is seen with hyperkalemia?
Metabolic acidosis
What are the 4 signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia?
Muscle twitching
Muscle weakness
Flaccid paralysis
Arrhythmias
In What acid-based imbalance are Kussmaul respiration’s seen?
Metabolic acidosis
Usually seen with DKA as the body is trying to remove the excess CO2
In metabolic alkalosis which organ has a problem?
Kidneys
In metabolic alkalosis is there too much or too little bicarb?
Too much
In metabolic alkalosis is there too much or too little hydrogen?
Too little
In metabolic alkalosis is the pH high or low?
High
What acid-based imbalance is seen in loss of upper GI contents; vomiting or NG suction?
Metabolic alkalosis
Upper G.I. think losing acid
Too many antacids, too much base
What acid-based imbalance is seen with hypokalemia?
Metabolic alkalosis
What are two signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
Muscle cramps and arrhythmias
What are the two nursing interventions for metabolic alkalosis?
Treat the problem and replace the potassium.
In full compensation will you see a normal or abnormal pH?
Normal
In full compensation if the pH is greater than 7.4 we say the Acid-based imbalance is _______.
Alkalotic
In full compensation if the pH is less than 7.4 we say the Acid-based imbalance is _______.
Acidotic
In partial compensation is the pH normal or abnormal?
Abnormal and as such will decide acidotic or alkalotic
