ACID BASE Balance Flashcards
(50 cards)
Which of the following is the normal blood pH range in a healthy individual?
A. 7.25 – 7.35
B. 7.35 – 7.45
C. 7.45 – 7.55
D. 7.55 – 7.65
Answer: B. 7.35 – 7.45
Rationale: The normal blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, which reflects a balance between acid and base in the body.
What is the primary cause of respiratory acidosis?
A. CO2 retention
B. Excessive loss of bicarbonate
C. HCO3 excess
D. H+ retention
Answer: A. CO2 retention
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is primarily caused by CO2 retention, leading to a decrease in blood pH.
Which system is primarily responsible for excreting carbonic acid from the body?
A. Renal
B. Digestive
C. Respiratory
D. Endocrine
Answer: C. Respiratory
Rationale: The respiratory system helps excrete carbonic acid by removing CO2 through exhalation.
Which acid-base imbalance results from HCO3 loss or H+ retention?
A. Metabolic alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B. Metabolic acidosis
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis occurs due to a loss of bicarbonate (HCO3) or retention of hydrogen ions (H+).
What is a common consequence of acidosis on the central nervous system?
A. Increased level of consciousness
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Increased oxygen saturation
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: Acidosis can decrease the level of consciousness, especially when CO2 crosses the blood-brain barrier, altering brain function.
Which of the following are potential causes of metabolic acidosis? (Select all that apply)
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Diarrhea
C. Vomiting
D. COPD
E. Aspirin overdose
Answers: A, B, E
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis can result from diabetic ketoacidosis, diarrhea, and aspirin overdose due to the accumulation of metabolic acids or bicarbonate loss.
True or False: All individuals are at risk for acid-base imbalances, but very young and very old individuals are at the greatest risk.
Answer: True
Rationale: Age-related factors such as immature organ function in the very young and decreased renal
Which interventions may help prevent acid-base imbalances? (Select all that apply)
A. Healthy eating habits
B. Smoking cessation
C. Overuse of antacids
D. Safe food handling
E. Using diuretics without a prescription
Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Preventing acid-base imbalances involves healthy eating, avoiding smoking, and safe food handling. Overuse of antacids or diuretics can contribute to imbalances.
True or False: Respiratory alkalosis is caused by the retention of CO2.
Answer: False
Rationale: Respiratory alkalosis is caused by the loss of CO2, leading to an increase in blood pH.
True or False: The kidneys are responsible for excreting metabolic acids.
Answer: True
Rationale: The kidneys regulate metabolic acids by excreting hydrogen ions and reabsorbing bicarbonate to maintain acid-base balance.
Which of the following clinical signs is most commonly associated with metabolic alkalosis?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Hyperventilation
C. Confusion and dizziness
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C. Confusion and dizziness
Rationale: Metabolic alkalosis often presents with neurological symptoms such as confusion and dizziness due to an increase in blood pH.
Which condition is most likely to cause respiratory alkalosis?
A. Asthma
B. Hyperventilation due to anxiety
C. COPD
D. Chronic kidney disease
Answer: B. Hyperventilation due to anxiety
Rationale: Respiratory alkalosis is commonly caused by hyperventilation, which reduces CO2 levels in the blood, raising the pH.
Which of the following is an expected finding in respiratory acidosis?
A. Blood pH greater than 7.45
B. PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg
C. Bicarbonate less than 22 mEq/L
D. Hyperventilation
Answer: B. PaCO2 greater than 45 mmHg
Rationale: In respiratory acidosis, PaCO2 is elevated because of CO2 retention, leading to a decrease in blood pH.
Which of the following is a primary buffer system in the body?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Renal filtration
C. Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
D. Digestive enzymes
Answer: C. Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
Rationale: The carbonic acid-bicarbonate system is one of the main buffering systems in the body, helping to neutralize pH changes.
Which condition would most likely result in metabolic alkalosis?
A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
B. Prolonged vomiting
C. Aspirin overdose
D. COPD
Answer: B. Prolonged vomiting
Rationale: Prolonged vomiting leads to a loss of gastric acid (HCl), which can result in metabolic alkalosis.
Which of the following are clinical manifestations of acidosis? (Select all that apply)
A. Decreased level of consciousness (LOC)
B. Hypoventilation
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Tetany
E. Hypertension
Answers: A, B, C
Rationale: Acidosis can cause a decreased LOC, hypoventilation (in respiratory acidosis), and hyperkalemia due to the movement of H+ into cells, displacing K+.
Which risk factors increase the likelihood of developing an acid-base imbalance? (Select all that apply)
A. Type 1 diabetes
B. Chronic kidney disease
C. Anxiety and hyperventilation
D. Acute pain managed with opioids
E. Excessive alcohol consumption
Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes (due to ketoacidosis), chronic kidney disease (impaired acid excretion), anxiety (leading to hyperventilation), opioid use (decreased respiratory rate), and excessive alcohol consumption (alters metabolism) all increase the risk for acid-base imbalances.
True or False: A blood pH of 7.48 indicates acidosis.
Answer: False
Rationale: A blood pH of 7.48 indicates alkalosis, as it is above the normal pH range of 7.35 to 7.45.
True or False: Renal compensation for respiratory acidosis involves the retention of bicarbonate.
Answer: True
Rationale: In respiratory acidosis, the kidneys attempt to compensate by retaining bicarbonate (HCO3) to neutralize the acid in the blood.
True or False: Alkalosis can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion and seizures.
Answer: True
Rationale: Alkalosis can lead to neurological symptoms, including confusion, seizures, and tetany due to changes in ionized calcium and the nervous system’s response.
Which of the following compensatory mechanisms occurs in metabolic acidosis?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Hypoventilation
C. Increased renal bicarbonate excretion
D. Decreased CO2 excretion
Answer: A. Hyperventilation
Rationale: In metabolic acidosis, the body compensates by increasing respiratory rate (hyperventilation) to blow off CO2 and reduce acid load.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with acidosis?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Acidosis often leads to hyperkalemia as H+ enters the cells and K+ is shifted out into the bloodstream.
What happens when compensatory mechanisms for acid-base imbalances fail?
A. The blood pH remains unchanged
B. Cellular function is impaired
C. Blood pressure increases
D. The kidneys stop excreting bicarbonate
Answer: B. Cellular function is impaired
Rationale: When compensatory mechanisms fail, cellular function becomes impaired, particularly in the brain and other vital organs.
What is the body’s response to metabolic alkalosis?
A. Increased CO2 excretion
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Increased bicarbonate excretion by the kidneys
D. Hyperventilation
Answer: B. Decreased respiratory rate
Rationale: The body compensates for metabolic alkalosis by decreasing the respiratory rate, allowing CO2 to accumulate and balance the pH.