Metabolic Acidosis Flashcards
Between what pHs is intracellular pH maintained?
7.0 and 7.3
How does metabolic acidosis occur?
- Loss of CO2 drives formation of H+ into H2O
- Therefore, you become acidotic if have a lot of H+ and can’t blow off enough CO2
How does respiratory acidosis?
If you can’t blow off enough CO2, the equation goes in the other direction, increasing H+
What is the primary disturbance in metabolic acidosis?
Decreased bicarbonate
What is the primary disturbance in metabolic alkalosis?
Increased bicarbonate
What is the primary disturbance in respiratory acidosis?
Increased pCO2
What is the primary disturbance in respiratory alkalosis?
Decreased pCO2
What is the compensatory response in metabolic acidosis?
Decreased pCO2
What is the compensatory response in metabolic alkalosis?
Increased pCO2
What is the compensatory response in respiratory acidosis?
Increased bicarbonate
What is the compensatory response in respiratory alkalosis?
Decreased bicarbonate
What is the definition of metabolic acidosis?
A low arterial blood pH in conjunction with a reduced serum bicarbonate concentration
Why is it important to detect metabolic acidosis?
- Acidic environment associated with lots of significant medical conditions
- Metabolic acidosis → increased mortality
- Easy identified and potentially correctable
What is metabolic acidosis not?
A diagnosis → it is a sign of something else you need to diagnose
What is the anion gap due to?
Not measuring many anions (many proteins) → measure fewer anions than cations, causing an anion gap (even though we know it is equal
What are the measured cations?
Na+ and K+
What are the measured anions?
HCO3- and Cl-
What does an increased anion gap indicate?
An increase in the concentration of anions other than chloride or bicarbonate
What is the equation showing that plasma is always electroneutral?
Measured cations + unmeasured cations = measured anions + unmeasured anions
Why does low bicarbonate mean an increased anion gap?
Bc there is a higher concentration of an unmeasured anion
What happens during normal anion gap acidosis?
- Have lost bicarbonate but chloride has compensated
- Bicarbonate loss but chloride reabsorption
What are causes of normal anion gap acidosis?
1) GI losses of bicarbonate → diarrhoea, surgical drains/fistulae
2) Renal losses of bicarbonate → renal tubular acidosis