Chemical Pathology Flashcards
What is normal concentration of H+
35-45nmol/L in ECF
pH= inverse log concentration of H+
How is H+ buffered
Bicarbonate is a weak acid which mops up H+ in the short term- long term the kidney needs to excrete H+ and regenerate bicarbonate ions
How is H+ buffered in RBC
Using haemoglobin
Main buffering equation
H+ + HCO3-= H2CO2 + H20
What principles causes a metabolic acidosis and examples
Increased H+ production- DKA
Decreased H+ excretion- renal tubular acidosis
Loss of bicarb- intestinal fistula
What do lungs do in metabolic acidosis
Hyperventilate to shift equation
What will see in compensated metabolic acidosis
Drop in CO2 with a compensated H+
How does body compensate for respiratory alkalosis
Will try to increase regeneration of bicarb- harder and slower to compensate metabolically so short term will not see increase in bicarb
What causes metabolic alkalosis
Increased H+ excretion
Can be potassium excretion too
Ingestion of bicarb
How is metabolic alkalosis compensated for
Hypoventilate
What causes respiratory alkalosis
Hyperventiation- panic attack, salicylates stimulate the brainstem early
What causes a loss of bicarb
Diarrhoea
High output stoma
Pancreatic fistula
What causes an increase in H+ production
DKA
Lactate
Ethylene glycol
Aspirin OD
Metformin
Uraemia
What causes a reduction in H+excretion
Addisons
Renal failure- renal tubular acidosis
What causes a metabolic alkalosis
Hypokalaemia
H+ loss from vomiting
Bicarbonate ingestion
What do you get in an aspirin overdose
Can get mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis as stimulates resp centre
Increases excretion of bicarb
What are causes of addisons
TB
Autoimmune
Metastases
Adrenal haemorrhage
Amyloidosis
What causes adrenal haemorrhages
Meningococcal infections- waterhouse friederichsen syndrome
Blood findings of addisons
Low sodium
High K
Low glucose
Signs on examination of addisons
Skin pigmentation
Postural drop in BP
Test for addisons
Short synacthen test
Measure cortisol and ACTH then administer ACTH
Check the cortisol and 30 and 60 mins
Managmeent of addisons
Hydrocortisone/fludrocortisone if primary addisons
Presentation of conns
Uncontrollable HTN
High Na
Low K
Investigation for conns
Plasma aldosterone:renin ratio will be higher