PH and electrolyte imbalances

Question 1

outline the mechanisms for maintaining acid/ base (PH) homeostasis

Answer 1

1. buffer system-To ensure the pH of blood does not move out of its set point range while acids or bases are being transported there are buffer systems that neutralize the excess until it can be excreted from the body
2. acid-base secretion- maintain the right balance of acidic and alkaline compounds in the body to function properly by excreting H+ in the lungs and acids or bases in the kidneys

Question 2

describe respiratory acidosis, its common causes and compensatory mechanisms

Answer 2

Decrease in ventilation means an increase of C02 in the blood of lungs and a decrease of it going out of blood so therefore the amount of H+ ions in the blood increases which increases the acidity in blood

causes:
- Brainstem depression
- Decreased muscular control
- Respiratory conditions (COPD)
- Renal adaptation is going to occur which increases hydrogen (H+) ion excretion at the kidneys and increase bicarbonate (HC03-) retention
- Increase in C02 = CNS depression which becomes a cycle

signs and symptoms

• Headache
• Foggy brain
• Confusion
• Visual disturbances
• Muscular effects (twitching, spasming)
• Breathlessness

Question 3

describe respiratory alkalosis, its common causes and compensatory mechanisms

Answer 3

Hyperventilating and deep breathing means lots of C02 is going out of the blood in lungs which decreases the amount of it in the blood which also decreases the amount of H+ in the blood

causes:

• Hypoxemia (low oxygen in the blood) which makes you breathe more
• Pain
• Anxiety
• fever/ sepsis
• Renal adaptation is going to occur and the kidneys increase H+ retention and reabsorption and increases HC03 excretion

signs and symptoms
- Dizzy 
- Confusion 
- Muscle effects e.g. twitches, cramps 
Tingling

Question 4

describe metabolic acidosis, its common causes and compensatory mechanisms

Answer 4

Increase HC03- loss or H+ gain by lungs which leads to increase of H+ in blood

Things that lead to HC03- loss are:

• Renal conditions
• GI loss (diarrhoea)

Things that lead to H+ gain:

• Lactic acid (anaerobic resp)
• Keto acidosis
• Certain substances
• Respiratory adaptation is going to occur which increases hyperventilation which increases C02 out of the blood which causes H+ to go out of blood too

Signs and symptoms

• Hyperventilation
• Headaches
• Lethargy confusion
• Muscle effects e.g arrhythmias

Question 5

describe metabolic alkalosis, its common causes and compensatory mechanisms

Answer 5

Increased H+ loss and increased HC03- gain by lungs which leads to decreased H+ in the blood

Things that cause H+ loss

• Renal condition e.g. diuresis
• GI loss e.g vomiting

Things that cause HC03- gain

• Excess administration
• Respiratory adaptation is going to decrease C02 out of the blood (hyperventilation)

Signs and symptoms

• Confusion
• Lethargy
• Muscle effects e.g. weakness, cramps

Question 6

outline the causes and signs and symptoms of hypernatremia (increased sodium levels)

Answer 6

Causes that increase sodium concentration in the blood which increases osmolarity so water will move out of the cells into the ECF which makes cells shrink and they do not work well (cellular dysfunction)

• Increased sodium gain in the body caused by
  Overadministration
• Water loss caused by
  Dehydration

Signs and symptoms

• Thirsty
• Dry mucous membranes
• Neurological confusion which can lead to coma
• Muscle twitching
• Restlessness

Question 7

outline the causes and signs and symptoms of hyponatremia (low sodium levels)

Answer 7

What causes loss of sodium concentration in the blood which decreases osmolarity so water moves into the cells which causes them to swell and burst 
- Increase sodium loss caused by 
Diarrhoea 
Vomiting 
Diuresis 
- Water gain caused by 
Hypervolemia 

Signs and symptoms

• Oedema
• Hypotension
• Oliguria
• Neurological and muscular impacts