A&P exam 2 - Acid Base Basics Flashcards
Respiratory acidosis
Due to excess CO2 (hypercapnia)
Develops when lungs don’t adequately ventilate CO2
pH below 7.35
PaCO2 above 45 mm Hg
Normal HCO3
Respiratory alkalosis
Excessive reduction in CO2 (hypocapnia) which reduces H2CO3
Lungs eliminated too much CO2 (anxiety)
pH above 7.45
PaCO2 below 35 mm Hg
Normal HCO3 levels
Metabolic acidosis
Either an increase in non-carbonic acids or or decrease in bicarbonate ions
When acidic substances or ingested substances are metabolized into an acid, inability of the kidney to secrete normal amounts of acid
pH below 7.35
PaCO2 = normal
HCO3 = below 22 m Eq/L
Metabolic alkalosis
Loss of metabolic acids and increase in concentration of bicarbonate
Loss of stomach acid, excess loss of Na+ or K+, renal loss of [H+], gain of base
pH above 7.45
PaCO2 = normal
HCO3 = above 26 m Eq/L
Normal range for blood pH
7.35-7.45
Neutral for H2O
7.2
Carbonic acid for bicarbonate buffer system
H2CO3
Bicarbonate ions for bicarbonate buffer system
HCO3 + [H+]
Which buffer system does the respiratory system use
Bicarbonate buffer system
Hypoventilation
Deep breaths that keep CO2 in the blood creating carbonic acid and causing a drop in pH
Hyperventilation
Shallow breaths that rapidly remove CO2 causing the blood pH to rise
What does the renal system do
Absorb or secrete acids and bases
Detect using serum HCO3- levels
Normal PaCO2 levels
35 - 45 mm Hg
Normal HCO3 levels
22 - 26 m Eq/L
Symptoms of acidosis in the CNS
Headache
Sleepiness
Confusion
Loss of consciousness
Coma
