Acid Base Imbalance

Question 1

What is the pH of blood?

Answer 1

7.4

Question 2

Why is keeping a normal pH important?

Answer 2

Because proteins in our body are sensitive to pH and only work within narrow ranges.

Question 3

What is ABG? What does it measure

Answer 3

arterial blood gases, measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH and bicarbonate

Question 4

What are the two kinds of abnormal blood pH? What is the pH range for each?

Answer 4

pH of 7.35 is acidosis

pH of 7.45 is alkalosis

Question 5

What are the four types of acid-base imbalances?

Answer 5

1) respiratory alkalosis
2) respiratory acidosis
3) metabolic alkalosis
4) metabolic acidosis

Question 6

What is the formula for the carbonic acid - bicarbonate buffer system?

Answer 6

CO2 + H2O H2CO3 H+ + HCO3-

Question 7

How do I tell which type of acid-base imbalance my patient has?

Answer 7

1) what is the pH? is it acidic or alkalinic?
2) what type of acid is present? carbonic acid = respiratory, any fixed acid (hydrochloric acid, lactic acid) = metabolic

Question 8

What would happen if there was impaired ventilation (ex. emphysema)

Answer 8

• increased CO2
• drives equation to the right
• increased H+ concentration
• decreased pH = acidic

Question 9

What would happen if you hyperventilate?

Answer 9

• decreased CO2
• drives equation to left
• decreased H+ concentration
• increased pH = alkalinic

Question 10

How is acid base imbalance treated?

Answer 10

• oral and IV solutions to normalize pH

- treat underlying cause