Chapter 32 Disorders of Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
If there are high levels of H+ what will the pH of the blood be?
acidic – the pH will be low
If there is low H+ in the blood what will the pH be like?
alkaline/basic – the # pH will be high
What is the average body pH?
7.35-7.45
What are the major organs involved in acid-base regulation?
bones, lungs, and kidneys
a pH above and below what number is deadly?
below 6.8 and above 7.8
What are the volatile acids in the body?
carbonic acid
what are nonvolatile acids in the body?
sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, metabolic acids
what are buffers?
chemicals that bind to excessive H+ or OH-
what are the most important buffering systems?
the carbonic and bicarbonate system and hemoglobin
why is hemoglobin an important buffer?
there are lots of hemoglobin and it has both positive and negative ions attached to it that can bind
What are other buffering systems besides the carbonic acid, bicarbonate system and hemoglobin?
protein buffering, resp and renal buffering
what are the four categories of acid base imbalances?
resp acidosis, resp alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis
what is respiratory acidosis?
elevation of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide as a result of ventilation depression = build up of CO2 = high carbonic acid
What can cause resp acidosis?
over sedation, paralysis, disorders of the lungs like pulmonary edema, emphysema or anything else that has the potential to inhibit gas exchange
what are the clinical manifestations of resp acidosis?
headache, restlessness, tremors, muscle twitching, convulsions, coma, cant catch breath, low bp,, dyspnea
what is the treatment for resp acidosis?
restore ventilation, administer IV lactate fluids (turns into bicarbonate) to combat the increase in H+ ions
How does the body compensate during resp acidosis?
the kidneys conserve bicarbonate and eliminate H+ ions in acidic urine
What is resp alkalosis?
depression of partial pressure of carbon dioxide due to hyperventilation. Getting rid of lots of CO2 = low carbonic acid and higher levels of bicarb = resp alkalosis
what can cause resp alkalosis?
hyperventilation, anxiety, fevers, thyroid disorders, high altitudes
what are the clinical manifestations of resp alkalosis?
dizziness, confusion, tingling, convulsions, coma, lethargy and confusion, low or normal bp
what is the treatment for resp alkalosis?
breathing into a paper bag, IV chloride fluids (helps exchange bicarb for chloride and get rid of the high bicarb levels)
how does the body compensate in resp alkalosis?
kidneys will conserve H+ ions and get rid of bicarb in alkaline urine
What is metabolic acidosis?
depression of bicarb and an increase in non-carbonic acids = high levels of metabolic acids because there isn’t enough bicarb around to balance it out
what causes metabolic acidosis?
renal failure, DKA, diarrhea (diarrhea is alkaline so you’re getting rid of bicarb), starvation
does acidosis depress or excite the nervous system?
depress
what are the clinical manifestations of metabolic acidosis?
headache, lethargy, kussmaul resps, decreased bp, warm flushed skin
what is the treatment for metabolic acidosis?
giving bicarb, lactate containing solutions (because it turns into bicarb) and treating the underlying causes
how does the body compensate during metabolic acidosis?
kidneys try and conserve bicarb and eliminate H+ ions in acidic urine, and lungs cause hyperventilation to blow of CO2 and bring the acidity down
What is metabolic alkalosis?
elevation of bicarb usually as a result of an excessive loss of metabolic acids
does metabolic alkalosis excite or depress the nervous system?
excites
what are the causes of metabolic alkalosis?
prolonged vomiting (vomit is very acidic so you are losing lots of acid) excessive bicarb intake, diuretic therapy
what are the clinical manifestations of metabolic alkalosis
weakness, muscle cramps, hyperactive reflexes,
what is the treatment for metabolic alkalosis?
sodium chloride, chloride IV (chloride will replace the bicarb)
how does the body compensate during metabolic alkalosis?
the kidneys will conserve H+ ions and eliminate bicarb in alkaline urine, and the lungs will hypoventilate and retain CO2 to keep in some acid
