Acid-Base Disorders Signs/Symptoms

Question 1

Respiratory acidosis
when does it happen?
resp cause (2)
nonresp causes (5)

Answer 1

decreased alveolar ventilation relative to CO2 production
resp causes
(1) acute/severe airway obstruction
(2) pulmonary edema
nonresp causes
(1) drug overdose
(2) SC injury
(3) neuromuscular disease
(4) brain injury
(5) thoracic cage trauma

Question 2

resp acidosis signs/symptoms
resp
central
cardiac

Answer 2

dyspnea, resp distress +/- shallow breathing
confusion, restlessness, headache
tachycardia, dysrhtyhmia

Question 3

Respiratory alkalosis
when does it happen?
resp cause (1)
nonresp causes (2)

Answer 3

increase alveolar ventilation relative to CO2 production

resp: hypoxemia
nonresp: pain, anxiety

Question 4

resp alkalosis signs/symptoms
central
cardiac

Answer 4

lightheaded, numbness and tingling, confusion, poor concentration, blurred vision
dysrhythmia

Question 5

metabolic acidosis
when does it happen?
cause of loss of buffer? (2)
increase H+ production (3)

Answer 5

plasma HCO3- below normal
loss of HCO3 - : diarrhea, renal disease
increase H+: lactic acidosis (anaerobe, not exercise), ketoacidosis, ingestion of toxin (methanol)

Question 6

metabolic acidosis signs/symptoms
resp
central
cardiac

Answer 6

kussmaul breathing
headache, restlessness, confusion, lethargy, stupor, coma
dysrhythmia

Question 7

metabolic alkalosis

when does it happen? why?

Answer 7

plasma HCO3- above normal or H+ lost
persistent vomiting
diuretics
NG suction
steroid therapy
excess HCO3-
hypokalemia/hypochloremia

Question 8

metabolic alkalosis signs/symptoms
resp
central
gastric
muscle

Answer 8

resp depression
dizziness, lethargy, disorientation, seizure, coma
nausea, vomiting
muscle weakness, twitching, cramps, tetany