Arterial Blood Gasses

Question 1

at what pH do the body’s physiological processes work best?

Answer 1

7.35-7.45

Question 2

what reaction creates the most important extracellular buffer system?

Answer 2

CO2 + H2O to HCO3 + H+

Question 3

what is the waste produce of respiration in all body cells?

Answer 3

carbon dioxide

Question 4

what controls the retention/excretion of carbon dioxide from the body?

Answer 4

the lungs

the concentration can be changed rapidly by breathing faster/slower

Question 5

what pH does CO2 have?

Answer 5

acidic

Question 6

what is HCO3?

Answer 6

bicarbonate

Question 7

what pH does HCO3 have?

Answer 7

basic

Question 8

what controls the retention/excretion of HCO3 from the body?

Answer 8

the kidneys

it is either excreted or absorbed

Question 9

which can change faster, concentration of CO2 or HCO3?

Answer 9

CO2

Question 10

what is compensation>

Answer 10

when the body attempts to correct a pH balance by losing/gaining CO2 or HCO3

Question 11

when does metabolic acidosis occur?

Answer 11

when the body produces excess H+

Question 12

name three things that can cause metabolic acidosis

Answer 12

lactic acidosis
renal failure
sepsis

Question 13

how does the body attempt to cope with metabolic acidosis?

Answer 13

by getting rid of CO2

Question 14

what would be seen on the ABG of someone with metabolic acidosis?

Answer 14

reduced pH
reduced CO2
reduced bicarbonate

Question 15

when does respiratory acidosis occur?

Answer 15

when there is an accumulation of CO2 when there is a problem with the lungs

Question 16

how does the body attempt to cope with respiratory acidosis?

Answer 16

resorbing bicarbonate from the kidneys

this is a slow process

Question 17

what would be seen on the ABG of someone with ACUTE respiratory acidosis?

Answer 17

reduced pH
increased CO2
no change in bicarbonate

Question 18

what would be different on the ABG of someone with CHRONIC respiratory acidosis compared to acute?

Answer 18

increased bicarbonate because the kidneys have had time to absorb it to counteract the low pH

Question 19

when does metabolic alkalosis occur?

Answer 19

when there is a net loss of acid from the body, resulting in an alkali surplus

Question 20

how does the body try to cope with metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 20

tries to hold on to acid by hypoventilating and retaining CO2

Question 21

what is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 21

vomiting

Question 22

what is seen on the ABG of someone with metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 22

elevated pH

small increase in CO2

Question 23

what causes respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 23

lack of acid due to loss of CO2

caused by hyperventilation

Question 24

how does the body attempt to cope with respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 24

loss of bicarbonate

this is slow and rarely seen as respiratory alkalosis is usually short lived

Question 25

what is seen on the ABG of someone with respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 25

elevated pH
low CO2
little change in bicarbonate

Question 26

what is PO2?

Answer 26

partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (aka PaO2)

Question 27

what does high PaCO2 suggest?

Answer 27

respiratory acidosis

Question 28

what does low PaCO2 suggest?

Answer 28

respiratory alkalosis

Question 29

what is BE?

Answer 29

base excess

a measure of how much base has been added/removed to correct the pH

Question 30

what does negative BE suggest?

Answer 30

metabolic acidosis

Question 31

what does positive BE suggest?

Answer 31

metabolic alkalosis