Biochemistry

Question 1

What test do you use to find the acid-base balance?

Answer 1

arterial blood gases

Question 2

how can [H+] be buffered?

Answer 2

by:

• Hb
• Bicarbonate
• phosphate ions
• ammonia

Question 3

What is the [H+] directly proportional to?

Answer 3

the pCO2

Question 4

what is the [H+] inversely proportional to?

Answer 4

the [HCO3-]

Question 5

pCO2 is the _____ component.

Answer 5

respiratory

Question 6

HCO3- is the _____ component

Answer 6

metabolic

Question 7

Respiratory acidosis/alkalosis is a primary change in…

Answer 7

pCO2

Question 8

Metabolic acidosis/alkalosis is a primary change in…

Answer 8

HCO3-

Question 9

what is acidosis?

Answer 9

an increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions.

Question 10

what is alkalosis?

Answer 10

a decrease in the concentration of hydrogen ions

Question 11

What is respiratory acidosis?

Answer 11

an increase in [H+] due to an increase in pCO2 due to the lungs not functioning properly so CO2 is accumulating

Question 12

what is respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 12

a decrease in [H+] due to a loss of CO2 due to hyperventilation

Question 13

What is metabolic acidosis?

Answer 13

an excess in [H+] due disease such as lactic acidosis

Question 14

What is metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 14

a net loss of [H+]/acid due to vomiting resulting in alkali surplus

Question 15

What does too much H+ do to the bicarbonate reaction?

Answer 15

drives the forwards reaction, favouring the production of CO2 and H20

Question 16

What is the bicarbonate reaction?

Answer 16

H+ + HCO3- -> H2CO3 -> CO2 + H2O

Question 17

what does too much CO2 do to the reaction?

Answer 17

drives the backwards reaction, favouring the dissociation of carbonic acid

Question 18

what does too little H+ do o the reaction?

Answer 18

drives the backwards reaction to try to produce more hydrogen from CO2 and H20

Question 19

What does too little CO2 do to the reaction?

Answer 19

drives the forwards reaction to produce more CO2

Question 20

how does the body counteract metabolic acidosis?

Answer 20

tachypnoea, by blowing off CO2 as the H+ mops up all the HCO3- so need to loose CO2 to restore the ratio to normality

Question 21

what is the primary problem and the respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis?

Answer 21

Primary problem = too much H+

Compensation = blowing off CO2

Question 22

what is the primary problem and metabolic compensatory response fr respiratory acidosis?

Answer 22

Primary problem = too much CO2

compensation = excreting more H+ and in the process reclaiming HCO3-

Question 23

what is metabolic alkalosis due to and how does the body compensate?

Answer 23

is due to a net loss of acid (vomiting) resulting in surplus alkali.
Compensation = hypoventilating in order to retain CO2

Question 24

what is respiratory alkalosis due to and how is it compensated?

Answer 24

lack of acid due to loss of CO2 (hyperventilation).

Compensation = lose alkali, but is slow process

Question 25

what is metabolic acidosis caused by and how is it compensated?

Answer 25

high H+ due to disease (lactic acidosis)

Counteract: blowing off CO2 by tachypnoea

Question 26

what is respiratory acidosis and how is it compensated?

Answer 26

high CO2 due to accumulation of it in the lungs due to disease.
Counteract = hold onto alkali, would only really see in chronic acidosis as long process.

Question 27

On an ABG what would you see if there was a metabolic acidosis that was compensated?

Answer 27

Reduced pH
-ve BE
Compensation = Reduced CO2

Question 28

what would you see on an ABG of respiratory acidosis if it was compensated?

Answer 28

reduced pH
increased CO2
+ve BE if compensated (as shows metabolic alkalosis but pH says acidosis)

Question 29

what would you see on an ABG of metabolic alkalosis if it was compensated?

Answer 29

increased pH
+ve BE
Compensated = small increase in CO2 (wants to retain through hypoventilation)

Question 30

what would you see on an ABG of respiratory alkalosis if it was compensated?

Answer 30

increased pH
decreased CO2
compensated = attempt to lose HC03 but slow process