Control of breathing, Hypoxia, Resp Failure Flashcards
What is hypoxia?
• A fall in alveolar, thus arterial pO2
What is hypercapnia?
• A rise in alveolar, thus arterial CO2
What is hypocapnia?
• A fall in alveolar, thus arterial CO2
What is hyperventilation?
• Ventilation increases with no change in metabolism• (breathing more than you actually have to)
What is hypoventilation?
• Ventilation decreases with no change in metabolism• (breathing less than you have to)
How does hyperventilation affect plasma pH?
• pCO2 down• pH increases
How does hypoventilation affect CO2 and plasma pH?
• pCO2 up • pH down
What is the normal metabolic pH?
• 7.4
What is the body’s normal pH range?
• 7.38 - 7.42
What happens if plasma pH falls below 7.0?
• Plasma k+ rises to dangerous levels and enzymes are lethally denatured• Function of heart affected
What happens if plasma pH rises above 7.6?
• Free calcium concentration falls enough to produce fatal tetany• Calcium salts soluble in acid conditions - In alkalosis, calcium forms complexes. Nerves become excitable, causing tetany
Give two events which will occur when hypoventilation occurs?
• Hypercapnia• Respiratory acidosis• pH falls below 7.0• Enzymes become lethally denatured
Give two events which will occur when hyperventilation occurs?
• Hypo capnia and respiratory alkalosis• pH rises above 7.6 • Free calcium concentration falls enough to produce fatal tetany ○ Ca2+ is only soluble in acid, so pH rises Ca2+ cannot stay in blood. Nerves become hyperexcitable.
What is respiratory acidosis?
• CO2 produced more rapidly than it is removed by the lungs (hypoventilation). • pCO2 rises, so (dissolved CO2) rises more than HCO3-, producing a fall in plasma pH
What is compensated respiratory acidosis?
• Respiratory acidosis persists, and the kidneys responsd to low pH by reducing excretion of HCO3-, thus restoring ratio of (dissolved CO2) to (HCO2-), producing a rise in pH
How long does compensation take?
• 2-3 days
What is respiratory alkalosis?
• CO2 is removed from alveoli more rapidly than it is produced (hyperventilation)• Alveolar pCO2 decreases, changing the ratio of (dissolved CO2) to (HCO3-) producing an increase in plasma pH
What is compensated respiratory alkalosis?
• Respiratory Alkalosis persists, and the kidneys respond to the high pH by excreting HCO3-, thus restoring the ratio of [Dissolved CO2] to [HCO3-], and therefore the pH.
What is metabolic acidosis?
• HCO3- displaced by metabolically produced acids• Blood pH form
How can metabolic acidosis be compensated for?
• Ratio of (dissolved CO2) to (HCO3-) may be restored to near normal by increasing ventilation rate to decrease pCO2
What does acidosis mean?
• Reduction in HCO3- • NOT PH
What is metabolic alkalosis?
• Plasma HCO3- rises, causing the pH of blood to rise (after vomiting?)• Stomach produces HCO3- when acid generated• If acid removed from stomach, gastrin released which produces more acid• HCO3- produced in excess as a result of this increased production
How can metabolic alkalosis be compensated for?
• Ratio of dissolved CO2 to HCO3- may be restored to near normal by raising pCO2• Lungs decrease ventilation to correct pH• Dangerous
What is the control of our breathing moderated by?
• pH• Oxygen requirements are secondary
Give three variables which affect breathing?
• pH• Decrease O2• Increased CO2
What occurs when there is falling inspired pO2?
• Detected by peripheral chemoreceptors located in carotid and aortic bodies• Increase the tidal volume and rate of respiration• Changes in circulation direction more blood to the brain and kidney• Increased pumping of blood by the heart
What occurs when there is an increase in inspired pCO2
• Central chemoreceptors in medulla more sensitive than peripheral• Small rise in pCO2 -> Increase ventilation• Small decrease in pCO2 -> Decrease ventilation• Basis of negative feedback control of breathing