Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 4

What is the normal pH range of human blood?

Answer 4

7.35 to 7.45

Question 5

What pH range indicates acidosis?

Answer 5

< 7.35

Question 6

What pH range indicates alkalosis?

Answer 6

> 7.45

Question 7

What is acidosis?

Answer 7

A condition where blood pH drops below 7.35, indicating increased acidity.

Question 8

What is alkalosis?

Answer 8

A condition where blood pH rises above 7.45, indicating decreased acidity or increased base.

Question 9

What does H+ represent in acid-base balance?

Answer 9

H+ indicates the acidic component; more H+ means more acidic.

Question 10

What does HCO3- represent?

Answer 10

HCO3- (bicarbonate) is the basic component; more HCO3- means more alkaline.

Question 11

What is the 20:1 ratio in acid-base balance?

Answer 11

It refers to the ideal base (HCO3-) to acid (H2CO3) ratio for maintaining pH.

Question 12

What are the four main buffer systems in the body?

Answer 12

Bicarbonate-carbonic acid, phosphate, protein, and hemoglobin buffers.

Question 13

Which buffer system is the most important in extracellular fluid?

Answer 13

Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system.

Question 14

How does the bicarbonate buffer system work?

Answer 14

It maintains pH balance by reacting with excess acids or bases.

Question 15

How do the lungs regulate pH?

Answer 15

By adjusting the amount of CO2 exhaled, which influences H2CO3 levels.

Question 16

What happens to breathing during acidosis?

Answer 16

Respiratory rate increases to expel CO2 and reduce acidity.

Question 17

What happens to breathing during alkalosis?

Answer 17

Respiratory rate decreases to retain CO2 and increase acidity.

Question 18

How do the kidneys regulate acid-base balance?

Answer 18

By excreting H+ and reabsorbing or excreting HCO3-.

Question 19

How do kidneys compensate for acidosis?

Answer 19

They excrete more H+ and conserve HCO3-.

Question 20

How do kidneys compensate for alkalosis?

Answer 20

They excrete HCO3- and retain H+.

Question 21

Which organs are responsible for compensating pH imbalance?

Answer 21

The lungs and kidneys.

Question 22

What compensates respiratory imbalances?

Answer 22

The kidneys.

Question 23

What compensates metabolic imbalances?

Answer 23

The lungs.

Question 24

How does the body respond to respiratory acidosis?

Answer 24

Kidneys excrete H+ and retain HCO3-.

Question 25

How does the body respond to metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 25

Lungs slow down breathing to retain CO2.

Question 26

What causes metabolic acidosis?

Answer 26

Diarrhea, renal failure, or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Question 27

What causes metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 27

Vomiting, diuretic use, or excessive antacid intake.

Question 28

What causes respiratory acidosis?

Answer 28

COPD, respiratory depression, or hypoventilation.

Question 29

What causes respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 29

Hyperventilation due to anxiety or fever.

Question 30

Symptoms of acidosis?

Answer 30

Headache, confusion, lethargy, coma, Kussmaul respirations.

Question 31

Symptoms of alkalosis?

Answer 31

Restlessness, twitching, paresthesia, tetany, seizures.

Question 32

Patient with COPD and high CO2 levels—what imbalance?

Answer 32

Respiratory acidosis.

Question 33

Patient with persistent vomiting—what imbalance?

Answer 33

Metabolic alkalosis.

Question 34

Diabetic patient in DKA—what imbalance likely?

Answer 34

Metabolic acidosis.

Question 35

Patient hyperventilating due to panic attack—what imbalance?

Answer 35

Respiratory alkalosis.

Question 36

Patient with kidney failure—how will acid-base balance be affected?

Answer 36

Likely metabolic acidosis due to H+ retention.

Question 37

Step 1 of ABG interpretation?

Answer 37

Check the pH: Is it <7.35 (acidosis), >7.45 (alkalosis), or normal?

Question 38

Step 2 of ABG interpretation?

Answer 38

Check PaCO2: Respiratory component. <35 = alkalosis, >45 = acidosis.

Question 39

Step 3 of ABG interpretation?

Answer 39

Check HCO3-: Metabolic component. <22 = acidosis, >26 = alkalosis.

Question 40

Step 4 of ABG interpretation?

Answer 40

Match the pH with either CO2 or HCO3 to determine the cause.

Question 41

Step 5 of ABG interpretation?

Answer 41

Check if compensation is occurring by evaluating the non-matching component.

Question 42

ABG: pH 7.31, CO2 50, HCO3 24 — What is it?

Answer 42

Uncompensated Respiratory Acidosis

Question 43

ABG: pH 7.49, CO2 47, HCO3 30 — What is it?

Answer 43

Metabolic Alkalosis, partially compensated

Question 44

ABG: pH 7.37, CO2 55, HCO3 32 — What is it?

Answer 44

Fully compensated respiratory acidosis

Question 45

ABG: pH 7.30, CO2 36, HCO3 18 — What is it?

Answer 45

Metabolic Acidosis

Question 46

True/False: CO2 is considered an acid in the body.

Answer 46

True

Question 47

True/False: The kidneys compensate quickly for pH changes.

Answer 47

False

Question 48

True/False: Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hypoventilation.

Answer 48

False

Question 49

True/False: Vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis.

Answer 49

True

Question 50

Match: Kussmaul respirations

Answer 50

Seen in metabolic acidosis

Question 51

Match: Hyperventilation

Answer 51

Cause of respiratory alkalosis

Question 52

Match: COPD

Answer 52

Risk factor for respiratory acidosis

Question 53

Match: Diabetic ketoacidosis

Answer 53

Cause of metabolic acidosis

Question 54

Match: Anxiety attack

Answer 54

Cause of respiratory alkalosis

Question 55

Match: Antacid overdose

Answer 55

Cause of metabolic alkalosis