Blood Gas Analysis Flashcards
what does blood gas analysis measure?
partial pressure of gases in the blood
what other measurements are incorporated into blood gas analysis?
pH
electrolytes which affect pH
what is the relationship between acids and protons?
acids are proton donors
what is the relationship between bases and protons?
bases are proton acceptors
what ion is linked to pH?
Hydrogen
what is the relationship between hydrogen ions on pH?
pH is linked to H+ ion concentration. More H+ means lower pH
what is the normal blood pH?
7.4
(7.35-7.45)
what effect can small changes in pH have on H+?
can lead to big changes in H+ ion concentration
what happens to H+ concentration as pH falls?
H+ increases in larger and larger steps
why is it essential that pH is maintained in a narrow range?
enzymes are designed to work at a specific pH
what is the effect on enzymes of a change in pH?
rate of enzymatic reactions can be altered
enzymes can lose function and denature which has massive impact on physiology
what impact does disease have on pH?
pH often deranged in disease
other than disease how else may pH be altered?
iatrogenic (IVFT or drugs)
at what pH is death a risk?
less than 6.8
or above 7.6
what is a pH of above 7.45 known as?
alkalaemia
what is a pH of below 7.35 known as?
acidaemia
what must add up within the body to ensure it is electroneutral?
all negative and positive charges
what are common ions found within the body?
Na+
K+
Mg2+
Cl-
HCO3-
Ca2+
what other substances in the body aid determination of pH?
albumin
ketones
what is generated from water to balance charge differences?
H+
what range is normal pH?
7.35-7.45
does pH within the body vary between species?
yes between mammals
what does the suffix osis mean?
process of pH becoming more acidic or alkaline
what systems in the body are involved in maintenance of normal pH?
chemical buffers
respiratory system
renal system
what are the most important chemical systems involved in maintenance of normal pH?
phosphates
proteins
bicarbonate/carbonic acid system
what is described by the Henderson Hasselbalch equation?
relationship between pH, bicarb and CO2
describe the relationship between water, CO2, H+ and bicarb
excess CO2 is combined with water to give H+ ions and bicarb
excess H+ ions are combined with bicarb to form water and CO2
how is carbon dioxide excreted?
through the lungs
how are H+ ions excreted?
through the kidneys
what are buffers?
any particle capable of accepting or donating H+
what is the role of buffers?
act to soak up excess hydrogen and release it when necessary
how quickly do buffers work within the body?
fast - within seconds
what are the main buffers?
bicarbonate
heamoglobin
blood proteins (albumin)
phosphate
lactate
why is CO2 an acid?
within solution it is able to combine with water and form carbonic acid
what is the enzyme which forms carbonic acid from CO2 and water?
carbonic anhydrase
what are the main types of pH derangement?
respiratory acidosis
respiratory alkalosis
metabolic acidosis
metabolic alkalosis
what is respiratory acidosis and alkalosis caused by?
change in PaCO2 leading to a change in pH
what is metabolic acidosis and alkalosis caused by?
change in any other factor which may affect pH
what is the most common cause of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis?
change in HCO3- (bicarb)
what changes in bicarb can lead to metabolic acidosis and alkalosis?
loss or gain
to its role as a buffer to other acids
what does respiratory acidosis and alkalosis involve?
abnormalities in the concentration (partial pressure) of CO2
what is the arterial concentration of CO2 inversely proportional to?
ventilation
what effect does hyperventilation have on PaCO2?
level falls
what effect does hypoventilation have on PaCO2?
level increases
what effect does falling PaCO2 have on pH?
rises pH
what effect does rising PaCO2 have on pH?
lowers pH
how rapidly can the respiratory system respond to changes in pH?
very quickly
acts in response to pH changes brought on by exercise
what systems in the body measure pH changes?
medulla
carotid body