Alrerations Of Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
What molecule do the lungs eliminate if the blood pH is too low?
CO2
What do the lungs do if the pH is too high?
The lungs retain the CO2 to lower the pH levels
What happens to the pH of the blood when the kidneys retain H+?
The pH level decreases
What happens to the pH level when the kidneys excrete H+?
The pH level increases
What is the correction for metabolic acidosis?
Bicarbonate will increase; H+ ions will decrease.
What is the compensation for metabolic acidosis?
Increased RR often associated with ‘kussmaul respirations’
What are common causes of metabolic acidosis?
Renal failure
Lactic acid overproduction
Ketone overproduction
What is the compensation for respiratory acidosis or alkalosis?
Kidneys can increase or decrease secretion/excretion of H+
What is the respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis or alkalosis?
Lungs can increase or decrease CO2 removal.
What are common causes for metabolic alkalosis?
Prolonged vomiting
Gastric suctioning
What is the correction for metabolic alkalosis?
Renal retention of H+; renal excretion of bicarbonate
What is the compensation for metabolic alkalosis?
Decrease in RR (respiratory rate); increased CO2 retention.
What are common causes for respiratory acidosis?
Brain stem trauma
Rib fractures
Over-sedation
Pneumonia
Paralysis of respiratory muscles
What is the correction of respiratory acidosis?
None- cannot correct acid-based imbalance with the lungs
What is the compensation for respiratory acidosis?
Renal compensation
The kidney secretes H+ and reabsorbs HCO3-
What are common causes of respiratory alkalosis?
Hyperventilation due to Hypoxemia
Improper use of mechanical ventilation
Hyperventilation with anxiety/panic attacks.
What is the pathophysiology of respiratory alkalosis?
Hyperventilation removes CO2 from the body leading to decreased carbonic acid levels and increase in plasma pH.
Which molecule binds to the H+ as a buffer to create carbonic acid (H2CO3)?
Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-)
Regulation of acid-base balance through removal/retention of CO2 is accomplished by the:
Lungs
True or false
Correction of acid-base balance by the kidneys can take 24-48 hours.
True
Renal failure causes which acid-base imbalance?
Metabolic acidosis
Compensation for metabolic acidosis caused by renal failure includes:
Kussmaul respirations
One cause of metabolic alkalosis is:
suctioning of gastric fluids
Which conditions are known causes of respiratory acidosis?
Rib fractures
Over-sedation
Pneumonia
Long term compensation for respiratory acidosis includes:
kidney excretion of H+
All cases of respiratory alkalosis involve:
hyperventilation
The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to experience what type of acid-base imbalance?
Respiratory acidosis from inadequate ventilation
The nurse is caring for a client with having respiratory distress related to an anxiety attack. Recent arterial blood gas values are pH = 7.53 (high), PaO2 (72 mm Hg (normal), PaCO2 = 30 mmHg (low), HCO3-= 24 (normal).
The client is probably hyperventilating.
The nurse is caring for who was recently admitted to the hospital’s Emergency Department for treatment of kidney problems. Arterial blood gas values are pH = 7.20 (low), PaO2 (80 mm Hg (normal), PaCO2 = 29 mmHg (low), HCO3- (bicarbonate ion) = 18 mmol/L (normal).
The client has metabolic acidosis due to renal failure.
