Biochemistry

Question 1

What is the key buffering system in the body?

Answer 1

H+ + HCO3- H2CO3 CO2 + H2O

Question 2

what indicates respiratory acidosis/alkalosis?

Answer 2

inc pCO2 (inc H+)/ dec pCO2 (dec H+) respectively

Question 3

what indicates metabolic acidosis/alkalosis?

Answer 3

dec HCO3- (dec H+)/ inc HCO3- (inc H+)

Question 4

If BE is very low (e.g. -10) and pH is acidotic (e.g. 7.1), what does this suggest?

Answer 4

metabolic acidosis

Question 5

How does the body undergo respiratory compensation for e.g. metabolic acidosis?

Answer 5

There is too much H+ so lungs blow off more CO2 (so low CO2 stats)

Question 6

How does the body undergo metabolic compensation for respiratory acidosis?

Answer 6

too much CO2 results in inc excretion of H+ (BE stats low)

Question 7

what does a pH of <7.3 suggest?

Answer 7

Pleural inflammation

Question 8

what does a pH of <7.2 require?

Answer 8

drainage

Question 9

what do low glucose levels suggest..

Answer 9

infection, RA, malignancy

Question 10

what Ix is used to understand what causes these alteration is pH and glucose?

Answer 10

cytology, thoracentesis