Metabolic Acidosis

Question 1

Metabolic acidosis

Answer 1

The second most common type of acid base imbalance. It has three major causes.

Question 2

The most widespread cause of metabolic acidosis is

Answer 2

The production of a large number of fixed acids or organic acids.
- The hydrogen ions released by these acids overload the carbonic acid bicarbonate buffer system, so pH begins to decrease.

Question 3

Lactic acidosis

Answer 3

Can develop after strenuous exercise or prolonged tissue hypoxia as active cells rely on anaerobic respiration.

Question 4

Ketoacidosis

Answer 4

1. Results from the generation of large quantities of Ketone bodies during the postabsorptive state of metabolism.
2. It is a problem in starvation, and poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.
3. Peripheral tissues cannot obtain adequate glucose from the blood stream and they begin metabolizing lipids and Ketone bodies

Question 5

A less common cause of metabolic acidosis is in impaired ability to excrete hydrogen by the kidneys.

Answer 5

The secretion of hydrogen is linked to the reabsorption of sodium. When sodium reabsorption stops, so does hydrogen secretion.

Question 6

2 conditions that can result in metabolic acidosis

Answer 6

Glomerulinephritis

Diuretics, that turn off the sodium hydrogen transport system in the kidney tubules

Question 7

Metabolic acidosis occurs after severe bicarbonate loss.

Answer 7

1. The carbonic acid bicarbonate buffer system relies on bicarbonate ions to balance hydrogen ions that threaten pH balance.
2. A decrease in the bicarbonate concentrations in the ECF makes this buffer system less effective and acidosis soon develops.

Question 8

The most common cause of bicarbonate depletion is

Answer 8

Chronic diarrhea.

In diarrhea these bicarbonates are lost, so the bicarbonate concentrations in the ECF decreases.

Question 9

Compensation for metabolic acidosis generally involves a combination of respiratory and renal mechanisms

Answer 9

1. Hydrogen ions interacting with bicarbonate ions form carbon dioxide molecules that are eliminated by the lungs
2. The kidneys excrete additional hydrogen ions into the urine and generate bicarbonate ions that are released into the ECF