Arterial Blood Gases Flashcards
Physiological pH of the body
7.35 - 7.45
Metabolic Acidosis is…
the production of excess H+ by the body due to disease i.e. lactic acidosis, renal failure, sepsis
Potential causes of metabolic acidosis
Renal failure
Lactic acid
Ketones
Drugs
Sepsis
Addisons disease
Key features of metabolic acidosis
- reduced pH
- Tachypnoea with a reduced CO2
- A reduced HCO3 (used up by H+)
What is Respiratory Acidosis?
An accumulation of CO2 due to disease of the lungs
The kidneys attempt to counteract this by accumulating bicarbonate
Causes of respiratory acidosis
Type 2 respiratory failure
COPD
Which conditions may present as respiratory acidosis when nearing exhaustion and respiratory arrest?
Asthma
Pneumonia
Pulmonary Oedema
Key features of Respiratory Acidosis
Reduced pH
Increased CO2
Little or no change in bicarbonate
Where might raised bicarbonate be seen in respiratory acidosis?
COPD where there is chronic acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis is…
a net loss of acid from the body
Causes of metabolic alkalosis
Vomiting
Burns
K+ depletion
Ingestion of base
To counteract a surplus of alkali, the body tries to hold onto acid by _______ and retaining CO2
HYPOventilating
Key features of metabolic alkalosis
elevated pH
marginal increase in CO2
(relatively poor compensation mechanism)
Respiratory Alkalosis is…
a lack of acid because of the loss of CO2. This occurs as a result of hyperventilation
Causes of respiratory alkalosis
Stroke
Subarachnoid bleed
Meningitis
Asthma
Anxiety
Altitude
PE
