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NCLEX RN Review > Acid Base Balances > Flashcards

Acid Base Balances Flashcards

(61 cards)

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1
Q

What are the three major chemicals that make up acid base balances?

A

Bicarb (base)

Hydrogen (Acid)

CO2 (acid) — Carbonic acid

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2
Q

What is the major lung chemical?

A

CO2 (acid)

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3
Q

What are the two major kidney chemicals?

A

Bicarb (base)

Hydrogen (acid)

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4
Q

What is a normal pH range?

A

7.35 to 7.45

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5
Q

If pH is less than 7.35 we call that what?

A

Acidotic

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6
Q

If pH is greater than 7.45 we call that what?

A

Alkalotic (basic)

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7
Q

An acidotic person will appear ______.

A

Lethargic

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8
Q

An alkalotic person will appear ______.

A

Excitable; nervous system

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9
Q

What compensating organ can remove excess acid and bicarb by excreting them through the urine or retain hydrogen and bicarb by returning it to the blood?

How long does it take to do this?

A

The kidneys

Can take hours to days to do their job

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10
Q

How do the lungs get rid of or retain CO2?

A

Monitoring rate of exhalation

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11
Q

What happens when the lungs use hyperventilation to compensate for an acid base imbalance?

A

Hyperventilation decreases CO2 which leads to alkalosis

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12
Q

What happens when the lungs use hypoventilation to compensate for an acid base imbalance?

A

Hypoventilation increases CO2 and leads to acidosis

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13
Q

In respiratory acidosis which organ has a problem?

A

The lungs

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14
Q

In respiratory acidosis Which organ is going to compensate?

A

The kidneys

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15
Q

In respiratory acidosis Which chemical is causing the problem?

A

CO2

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16
Q

In respiratory acidosis Is there too much or too little CO2?

A

Too much

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17
Q

In respiratory acidosis Is the client hypoventilating or hyperventilating?

A

Hypoventilating

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18
Q

In respiratory acidosis The kidneys are compensating with what two chemicals?

A

Bicarb and hydrogen

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19
Q

In respiratory acidosis the body must do what to retain bicarb?

A

Excrete hydrogen

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20
Q

In respiratory acidosisIs is the pH high or low?

A

Low

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21
Q

In respiratory acidosis what issues could cause the lungs to retain CO2?

A

Pain can lead to shallow breaths and is also seen in mid abdominal incision, narcotics, sleeping pills, pneumothorax, collapsed lung, and pneumonia.

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22
Q

What acid base imbalance can be caused by pneumothorax, Collapsed lung, or pneumonia?

A

Respiratory acidosis

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23
Q

What acid base imbalance presents as a headache, confusion, or sleepiness?

A

Respiratory acidosis

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24
Q

If respiratory acidosis is not corrected it could lead to what?

A

Coma

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25
What acid base imbalance Presents as LOC going down, CO2 increasing, and O2 decreasing? (Hypoxia)
Respiratory acidosis
26
What are the early signs of hypoxia and how do you treat it?
Restlessness and tachycardia Give O2
27
What are seven nursing interventions for pneumonia to fix the lung problems and improve breathing?
Postural drainage Percussion via vibration therapy Deep breathing exercises, TCDB Suctioning Increase fluids Elevate head of bed Encourage incentive spirometry
28
In respiratory alkalosis which organ has a problem?
Lungs
29
In respiratory alkalosis does the client have too much or too little CO2 in the body?
Too little
30
And respiratory alkalosis is the client hypoventilating or hyperventilating?
Hyperventilating
31
And respiratory alkalosis is the client gaining or losing CO2?
Losing
32
In compensating for respiratory alkalosis the kidneys are excreting _____ and retaining ______.
Excreting bicarb | Retaining hydrogen
33
And respiratory alkalosis is the pH high or low?
High
34
What acid-based imbalance is seen in hysterical hyperventilation?
Respiratory alkalosis
35
What acid-based imbalance is seen with acute Aspirin overdose?
Respiratory alkalosis
36
What acid-based imbalance Presents with signs and symptoms of lightheaded or faint feeling, perry oral numbness, numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes?
Respiratory alkalosis
37
What are the three main Nursing interventions for respiratory alkalosis?
May have to sedate client to decrease respiratory rate Treat the cause; hysteria or aspirin overdose Monitor ABGs
38
In metabolic acidosis which organ has a problem?
Kidneys
39
In metabolic acidosis what chemical will the lungs use to compensate?
CO2
40
In metabolic acidosis is there too much or too little bicarb in the body?
Too little
41
In metabolic acidosis is there too much or too little hydrogen in the body?
Too much
42
In metabolic acidosis is the pH low or high?
Low
43
In metabolic acidosis will the respiratory rate increase or decrease to get rid of acid?
Increase
44
What acid-based imbalance Is seen in DKA or starvation?
Metabolic acidosis The cells are starving because glucose is not available. The body will break down fat for energy. As a result of fat breakdown, ketones (acids) are produced causing acidosis.
45
What acid-based imbalance is seen with renal failure?
Metabolic acidosis
46
What acid-based imbalance is seen in severe diarrhea?
Metabolic acidosis (lower GI, think losing base).
47
What acid-based imbalance is seen with hyperkalemia?
Metabolic acidosis
48
What are the 4 signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia?
Muscle twitching Muscle weakness Flaccid paralysis Arrhythmias
49
In What acid-based imbalance are Kussmaul respiration’s seen?
Metabolic acidosis Usually seen with DKA as the body is trying to remove the excess CO2
50
In metabolic alkalosis which organ has a problem?
Kidneys
51
In metabolic alkalosis is there too much or too little bicarb?
Too much
52
In metabolic alkalosis is there too much or too little hydrogen?
Too little
53
In metabolic alkalosis is the pH high or low?
High
54
What acid-based imbalance is seen in loss of upper GI contents; vomiting or NG suction?
Metabolic alkalosis Upper G.I. think losing acid Too many antacids, too much base
55
What acid-based imbalance is seen with hypokalemia?
Metabolic alkalosis
56
What are two signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
Muscle cramps and arrhythmias
57
What are the two nursing interventions for metabolic alkalosis?
Treat the problem and replace the potassium.
58
In full compensation will you see a normal or abnormal pH?
Normal
59
In full compensation if the pH is greater than 7.4 we say the Acid-based imbalance is _______.
Alkalotic
60
In full compensation if the pH is less than 7.4 we say the Acid-based imbalance is _______.
Acidotic
61
In partial compensation is the pH normal or abnormal?
Abnormal and as such will decide acidotic or alkalotic

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