Acid Base Physiology Flashcards
Basic definition of acid and base.
Acid: substance that can donate hydrogen ions
Base: substance that can accept hydrogen ions
What are the two main types of acids?
1) Carbonic acid- Volatile acids that can be converted to CO2 from carbohydrate and fat metabolism (eliminated from lungs)
2) Noncarbonic acids- nonvolatile acids such as phosphoric and sulfuric acids that cannot be converted to CO2 and are made mostly from protein and phospholipids metabolism
How are Noncarbonic acids excreted?
these combine with buffers and are excreted by the kidneys
What are the pH extremes that are compatible with life (only for a short time)?
6.8-7.8
How is pH usually measured in the body?
arterial blood gas samples (also measures CO2 and hemoglobin and calculates HCO3- from the Henderson eqn)
How is HCO3- more directly measured?
venous samples as total CO2 conc (dissolved CO2 plus HCO3- conc)
so the venous estimation of HCO3- is always about 1-.1.5 me/l greater than actual HCO3 due to the extra dissolved CO2
So what is normal plasma HCO3-?
24 mEq/l (arterial)
Bicarbonate buffer system eqn
CO2+H2O - H2CO3 - H+ + HCO3-
Henderson eqn revised
(pH) H+ = 24(CO2/HCO3)
pH must be converted to H+ (nEq/L) pH= 7.4= 40 nEq/L
7.40=40=24(40/24)
Relationship between pH and [H+]
- 0=100
- 1=80
- 2=64
- 3=50
- 4=40
- 5=32
- 6=25
- 7=20
- 8= 16
[H+]= 80- decimal digits of pH
What is the definition of metabolic acidosis?
some process that lowers bicarbonate, while alkalosis is some process that increases HCO3-
What is the definition of respiratory acidosis?
increased CO2, while respiratory alkalosis is decreased CO2
T or F. HCO3- is slightly increased with respiratory acidosis (increased CO2)
T. Think of the eqn.
Do buffers act quickly or slowly?
very quickly- almost an immediate onset
What is the isohydric principle?
all buffers change in the same direction
Where is HCO3- used as a buffer?
ECFV
What buffers are used in the urine?
phosphate (HPO42- and H2PO4-) and ammonia (NH3 and NH4+)
How does the body compensate for metabolic disorders?
by altering CO2 (via the lungs, rapid onset, minutes)
likewise, respiratory disorders are compensated with HCO3- changes (via the kidney, slower onset, 1-2 days)