Alrerations Of Acid-Base Balance

Question 1

What molecule do the lungs eliminate if the blood pH is too low?

Answer 1

CO2

Question 2

What do the lungs do if the pH is too high?

Answer 2

The lungs retain the CO2 to lower the pH levels

Question 3

What happens to the pH of the blood when the kidneys retain H+?

Answer 3

The pH level decreases

Question 4

What happens to the pH level when the kidneys excrete H+?

Answer 4

The pH level increases

Question 5

What is the correction for metabolic acidosis?

Answer 5

Bicarbonate will increase; H+ ions will decrease.

Question 6

What is the compensation for metabolic acidosis?

Answer 6

Increased RR often associated with ‘kussmaul respirations’

Question 7

What are common causes of metabolic acidosis?

Answer 7

Renal failure
Lactic acid overproduction
Ketone overproduction

Question 8

What is the compensation for respiratory acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 8

Kidneys can increase or decrease secretion/excretion of H+

Question 9

What is the respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 9

Lungs can increase or decrease CO2 removal.

Question 10

What are common causes for metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 10

Prolonged vomiting
Gastric suctioning

Question 11

What is the correction for metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 11

Renal retention of H+; renal excretion of bicarbonate

Question 12

What is the compensation for metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 12

Decrease in RR (respiratory rate); increased CO2 retention.

Question 13

What are common causes for respiratory acidosis?

Answer 13

Brain stem trauma
Rib fractures
Over-sedation
Pneumonia
Paralysis of respiratory muscles

Question 14

What is the correction of respiratory acidosis?

Answer 14

None- cannot correct acid-based imbalance with the lungs

Question 15

What is the compensation for respiratory acidosis?

Answer 15

Renal compensation
The kidney secretes H+ and reabsorbs HCO3-

Question 16

What are common causes of respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 16

Hyperventilation due to Hypoxemia
Improper use of mechanical ventilation
Hyperventilation with anxiety/panic attacks.

Question 17

What is the pathophysiology of respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 17

Hyperventilation removes CO2 from the body leading to decreased carbonic acid levels and increase in plasma pH.

Question 18

Which molecule binds to the H+ as a buffer to create carbonic acid (H2CO3)?

Answer 18

Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-)

Question 19

Regulation of acid-base balance through removal/retention of CO2 is accomplished by the:

Answer 19

Lungs

Question 20

True or false
Correction of acid-base balance by the kidneys can take 24-48 hours.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

Renal failure causes which acid-base imbalance?

Answer 21

Metabolic acidosis

Question 22

Compensation for metabolic acidosis caused by renal failure includes:

Answer 22

Kussmaul respirations

Question 23

One cause of metabolic alkalosis is:

Answer 23

suctioning of gastric fluids

Question 24

Which conditions are known causes of respiratory acidosis?

Answer 24

Rib fractures
Over-sedation
Pneumonia

Question 25

Long term compensation for respiratory acidosis includes:

Answer 25

kidney excretion of H+

Question 26

All cases of respiratory alkalosis involve:

Answer 26

hyperventilation

Question 27

The nurse is caring for a client with several broken ribs. The client is most likely to experience what type of acid-base imbalance?

Answer 27

Respiratory acidosis from inadequate ventilation

Question 28

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).

Answer 28

The client is probably hyperventilating.

Question 29

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).

Answer 29

The client has metabolic acidosis due to renal failure.