Acid-Base Physiology Flashcards
What are the extremes of the pH range that is compatible with life?
pH 7.80 and 6.80
What do clinical laboratories measure in arterial samples?
• venous?
Arterial
• pH
• Carbon Dioxide
• Oxygen
Venous
• measure total CO2 from which you can calculate Bicarbonate
What is a normal level for total CO2 plus bicarbonate?
• How does Bicarb concentration correspond to this?
~25-26 meq/L
• Bicarbonate Concentration Typically 24 mEq/L
So actual CO2 is 1.0 to 1.5 mEq/L
What pH range do you typically see in patients in most clinical scenarios?
• what hydrogen concentration does this correspond to?
pH = 7.1 - 7.4
[H+] = 80 at 7.1 [H+] = 40 at 7.4
What is normal pH in a patient?
• normal pCO2
• Normal HCO3-
Normal pH:
7.35 - 7.45
Normal pCO2
• 36-44 mmHg (40mmHg)
Normal HCO3-
• 22 - 26 meq/L (24 meq/L)
What is the simplified H/H equation used clinically for acidosis and alkyosis?
pH = 24 (CO2)/(HCO3)
What causes Metabolic Disorders of acidosis and alkylosis?
• Respiratory?
Metabolic:
Changes in Bicarbonate
Respiratory:
Changes in CO2
What is the Buffer effect?
• is this seen in metabolic or respiratory disorders?
Respiratory disorders have buffer effect aka:
• Increased HCO3- with acidosis
• Decreased HCO3- with alkalosis
Where does bicarbonate manifest most of its buffering effects?
EXTRACELLULARLY
• Bicarb. is an extracellular Buffer
What is the Isoydric principle?
It says that all buffers change in the same direction
If bicarbonate is the main extracellular buffer then what buffers are active in the urine?
• which is the body better at regulating?
Phosphate and Ammonia
Body more effectively uses AMMONIA to buffer urine pH
What does it mean if Compensatory (secondary) mechanisms ARE NOT used in acid-base disorders?
the Disorder is MIXED
• with both respiratory and renal aspects of buffer system messed up there is no way to compensate
What compensatory mechanisms are used for metabolic and respiratory acidosis and alkylosis?
Metabolic Dysfunction = Respiratory Compensation.
• Acidosis = Hyperventilation
• Alkylosis = Hypoventilation
Respiratory Dysfunction = Metabolic Compensation in kidney
• Acidosis = HCO3- reabsorption increased
• Alkylsosis = HCO3- secretion increased
From fastest to slowest what systems react when the H+ and HCO3- balance is thrown off?
Immediate:
• Extracellular Fluids
• HCO3- + H+ H2CO3 CO2 + H2O is adjusted
Minutes to Hours:
• Lungs
• BREATHING changes
2-4 Hours:
• Intracellular Fluids
• Phosphate and Protein Buffer Changes
Hours to Days:
• Kidneys
• Hyrogen ion excretion, bicarb reabsorption and Bicarbonate generation
What are the 3 GOLDEN rules of simple acid-base disorders?
1) PCO2 and HCO3 always change in the same direction.
2) The secondary physiologic compensatory mechanisms must be present.
3) The compensatory mechanisms never fully correct pH.