ABG Flashcards
(229 cards)
What is the pH of arterial blood versus venous blood?
Arterial blood pH ranges from 7.35 -7.45
Venous blood pH ranges from 7.31-7.41
What is the acid-base balance?
The acid-base balance is a result of processes that carefully regulate hydrogen ion production and elimination. Body fluid pH is a measure of the bodies fluids free hydrogen ion level
True or false
Because it is calculated in negative logarithm units, the value of pH is inversely related to the level of free hydrogen ions. In other words, the lower the pH value of the fluid, the higher the level of free ions in that fluid
True
Keeping the pH of the blood within normal range is important because changes from the normal interfere with many functions such as…
- Changing the shape and reducing the function of hormones and enzymes
- Changing the distribution of other electrolytes, causing fluid and electrolyte imbalances
- Changing excitable membranes, making the heart, nerves, muscle, G.I. track either less or more active than normal
- Decreasing effectiveness of drugs
What are acids?
Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. And acid in solution increases the amount of free hydrogen ions in that solution
What are bases?
The base is a substance that binds free hydrogen ions in solution. Thus bases are hydrogen acceptors that lower the amount of free hydrogen ions in solution.
What are buffers?
Buffers are critically keeping body fluid pH a normal levels because they can react in two ways, either as an acid or the base. Buffers always try to bring the fluid as close as possible to the normal body fluid pH of 7.35 to 7.45
What is the most common base and common acid in the human body?
The most common base is bicarbonate
The most common acid is carbonic acid
What does that carbonic anhydrase equation show?
This equation, driven by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, shows how hydrogen ion levels and carbon dioxide levels are DIRECTLY related to one another, so that any increase in one causes an equal increase in the other
True or false
Carbonic acid is not stable, and the body needs to keep a 1:20 ratio of carbonic acid to bicarbonate
True
True or false
The carbon dioxide content of the fluid is directly related to the amount of hydrogen ions in the fluid
True
What is the normal O2 level in an adult?
80-100 mm Hg
What is the normal CO2 level in an adult?
Arterial: 35-45 mm Hg
Venous: 40-50 mm Hg
What is the normal level of bicarbonate in an adult?
Arterial: 21-28 mm Hg
Venous: 24-29 mm Hg
What is the CO2 and pH correlation of the body?
Whenever the CO2 level changes, the pH changes to the same degree, in the opposite direction. So when the CO2 level of a liquid increases, pH drops indicating more free hydrogen ions or more acidic. On the other hand, when the CO2 level the liquid decreases, the pH arises, indicated you were free hydrogen ions or more alkaline.
What is the main buffer of the ECF?
Bicarbonate, It is kept at a level 20 times greater than that of carbonic acid
What is one factor that determines blood pH?
How much CO2 is produced by body cells during metabolism versus how rapidly that CO2 is removed by breathing
What does protein breakdown form?
Sulfuric acid
How is lactic acid formed?
Incomplete breakdown of glucose, which occurs whenever cells metabolize under anaerobic conditions, forms lactic acid
What is the first, second and third line of defense against changes in the amount of free hydrogen ions?
Buffers are the first line of defense
The respiratory system is the second line of defense
The kidneys are the third line of defense
What are buffers composed of?
Buffers are composed of chemicals are proteins
What are chemical buffers?
Chemical buffers are paired mixtures, usually a week base and an acid salt. The two most common chemical buffers are bicarbonate and phosphate.
What are protein buffers?
Protein buffers are the most common buffers. extracellular buffers are albumin and globulins. A major cell protein buffer is hemoglobin
True or false
Hemoglobin buffers hydrogen ions directly and also buffers acids formed during the production of carbon dioxide
True