Final 22 Apr 25 Acid-Base Balance and Respiratory Physiology Overview Flashcards
(87 cards)
1
Q
What is the focus of chapter eight in Levitsky’s book?
A
Respiratory focus on acid-base balance
2
Q
What is the significance of pH in relation to drug efficacy?
A
pH affects how drugs work in underperfused tissues
3
Q
What controls ventilation in the body?
A
Neural control centers in the brain
4
Q
What do gas sensors in the body primarily monitor?
A
CO2 levels and acid-base status
5
Q
What is the alveolar gas equation used for?
A
Calculating various gas-related parameters in the lungs
6
Q
What does the respiratory exchange ratio indicate?
A
The ratio of O2 used to CO2 produced
7
Q
What is typically the cabin pressure in modern jets flying at high altitudes?
A
Mimics an altitude of 8000 feet
8
Q
What happens to atmospheric pressure at high altitudes?
A
It decreases significantly
9
Q
What is the PO2 level at 40,000 feet?
A
Very low, around 29 mmHg
10
Q
What do oxygen masks in planes provide during cabin depressurization?
A
Higher concentrated oxygen
11
Q
What is the risk associated with hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction at high altitudes?
A
Increased load on the right heart
12
Q
What occurs to gas exchange during cabin depressurization?
A
Gas exchange can reverse, leading to rapid loss of consciousness
13
Q
Fill in the blank: The _______ is used to understand gas laws and ventilation.
A
alveolar gas equation
14
Q
True or False: The final exam will primarily focus on newer material.
A
False
15
Q
What should students expect from the cardiac content on the final exam?
A
Knowledge on blood gases and pulmonary vascular resistance
16
Q
What is the consequence of a sudden cabin depressurization?
A
Rapid decrease in PO2 and risk of consciousness loss
17
Q
What is the role of the right heart in high altitude situations?
A
Pumps blood, but can be overloaded due to hypoxia
18
Q
What is a common altitude that commercial airplanes fly at?
A
40,000 feet
19
Q
What is the typical barometric pressure at high altitudes?
A
Around 200 mmHg or lower
20
Q
Fill in the blank: The chemical reaction in the oxygen masks produces _______ to help maintain consciousness.
A
O2
21
Q
What is the primary concern for pilots regarding oxygen supply at high altitudes?
A
Need for compressed 100% oxygen
22
Q
What is the expected effect of breathing lower than normal PO2 air?
A
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
23
Q
What happens to gas exchange at high altitude?
A
Gas exchange reverses rapidly, leading to loss of consciousness.
This is due to decreased oxygen availability in high-altitude environments.
24
Q
Why do pilots use compressed 100% oxygen?
A
To ensure a higher level of oxygen and to help with lung pressure.
Standard cabin oxygen sources are insufficient for pilots’ needs.
25
Why are beards not allowed for pilots?
They prevent a tight fit between the oxygen mask and the face.
## Footnote
This is a safety measure to ensure proper oxygen supply.
26
What chemical reaction is involved in the production of oxygen from emergency oxygen sources?
An exothermic reaction that produces heat and oxygen.
## Footnote
If not properly maintained, these reactions can pose fire hazards.
27
What is the normal arterial pH range?
7.35 to 7.45.
## Footnote
A pH of 7.4 is considered the midpoint of this range.
28
What indicates acidosis or alkalosis in the body?
Acidosis: pH < 7.35; Alkalosis: pH > 7.45.
## Footnote
These conditions can be respiratory or metabolic in origin.
29
What is CO2 classified as in terms of acidity?
A volatile acid.
## Footnote
It can enter the gas phase and is a primary acid in the body.
30
How does CO2 interact with water in the body?
CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).
## Footnote
Carbonic acid is a weak acid present in low concentrations.
31
What is the relationship between strong acids and their conjugate bases?
Strong acids have weak conjugate bases.
## Footnote
Strong acids dissociate easily, leading to a weak conjugate base that does not readily accept protons.
32
What is the conjugate base of carbonic acid?
Bicarbonate (HCO3-).
## Footnote
Bicarbonate acts as a stronger conjugate base compared to carbonic acid.
33
What is the significance of the suffix 'ate' in chemical terms?
It typically indicates an acid.
## Footnote
Examples include phosphoric acid and salicylic acid.
34
What are examples of non-volatile acids produced in the body?
* Sulfuric acid
* Phosphoric acid
* Lactic acid
* Hydrochloric acid
## Footnote
Non-volatile acids cannot be directly converted to CO2.
35
What can lead to increased production of non-volatile acids?
Poor diet, particularly a lack of protein.
## Footnote
A vegetarian diet lacking protein can reduce acid production.
36
What is acetoacetic acid associated with?
Poor blood sugar management in diabetes.
## Footnote
It is a byproduct of altered metabolic pathways in diabetics.
37
What is butyric acid associated with?
Poor health and poorly managed diabetes.
## Footnote
Its production is typically pathological and not common in healthy individuals.
38
Where are non-volatile acids primarily removed from the body?
The kidneys and sometimes the liver.
## Footnote
The liver can transform acids into less toxic forms.
39
What is a common strong acid mentioned?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
## Footnote
It is well-known in chemistry for its strong dissociation in solution.
40
What is an example of a weak base commonly found in toothpaste?
Sodium fluoride.
## Footnote
It is used to help buffer pH in dental care.
41
What is an example of a strong acid?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
## Footnote
Hydrochloric acid is commonly used in chemistry and is known for its ability to dissociate easily in solution.
42
What is a common example of a weak base?
Sodium fluoride (in toothpaste)
## Footnote
Sodium fluoride is used in toothpaste to help buffer the pH in the mouth and protect teeth.
43
What is an example of a strong base?
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
## Footnote
Sodium hydroxide is a strong base found in drain cleaners and can be very toxic if ingested.
44
What is the normal pH range for the human body?
Approximately 7.4
## Footnote
This pH is critical for the proper functioning of proteins and enzymes in the body.
45
What happens to proteins when the pH is altered significantly?
The shape of the protein changes
## Footnote
This shape change can affect the protein's function, as seen in hemoglobin with increased proton activity.
46
What is the Bore effect?
Increased proton concentration causes hemoglobin to release oxygen
## Footnote
The Bore effect illustrates how increased acidity (more protons) affects oxygen transport in the blood.
47
What is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump?
Maintains the concentration gradient of sodium and potassium ions
## Footnote
This pump is crucial for cellular function and is affected by the pH of the environment.
48
What occurs during acidosis in relation to potassium levels?
Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels)
## Footnote
Acidosis can impair the function of the sodium-potassium pump, leading to potassium leaking out of cells.
49
What is the role of ATPases in the mitochondria?
Produce ATP by harnessing energy from the electron transport chain
## Footnote
ATP production is vital for cellular energy and is influenced by proton concentration.
50
What is the pH range of body fluids?
1 to 14
## Footnote
A pH of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are alkaline.
51
What is the pH of gastric acid?
About 1
## Footnote
Gastric acid is extremely acidic and is essential for digestion.
52
What is the pH of pancreatic secretions?
About 8
## Footnote
Pancreatic secretions help neutralize gastric acid as it enters the small intestine.
53
What happens if intestinal motility is very high?
Loss of bicarbonate can lead to acidosis
## Footnote
High motility can result in insufficient neutralization of gastric acid, causing an acidic environment.
54
What occurs with repeated vomiting?
Loss of acid leading to alkalosis
## Footnote
Vomiting removes gastric acid, which can raise the body's pH and make it more alkaline.
55
How is pH calculated from proton concentration?
pH = -log[H+]
## Footnote
This logarithmic scale helps quantify acidity based on proton concentration in solution.
56
What is a common use for hydrochloride salts in pharmaceuticals?
To aid in absorption or distribution of drugs
## Footnote
Many drugs are formulated as hydrochloride salts to enhance their effectiveness.
57
What is pentobarbital sodium known for?
It is an extremely basic drug
## Footnote
Care must be taken when infusing pentobarbital sodium intravenously due to its high pH.
58
What is the concentration of protons in a liter of aqueous solution at a pH of 7?
100 nanomoles per liter
## Footnote
This is derived from the formula 1 x 10^-7.
59
How does a change of one pH unit affect proton concentration?
It results in a 10-fold change in proton concentration.
60
What is the proton concentration at a pH of 6?
1000 nanomoles per liter.
61
What is the significance of the pH range between 6.9 and 7.8 for human survival?
Values below 6.9 or above 7.8 are considered not survivable.
62
What are the three main buffers in the human body?
* Bicarbonate
* Proteins
* Phosphate
63
What role do proteins play in buffering?
Proteins can associate with protons, reducing their reactivity and activity.
64
What is the primary extracellular fluid buffer in the body?
Bicarbonate.
65
What is the primary intracellular buffer in the body?
Phosphate.
66
What happens to buffering capacity when protein levels in the blood are low?
Bicarbonate becomes less effective as a buffer.
67
At what arterial PCO2 level is the normal blood pH expected to be 7.4?
40 mmHg.
68
What is the normal arterial bicarb level in the blood?
24 millimoles per liter.
69
True or False: The lungs can be considered a buffer system.
True.
70
What happens to the buffering capacity if the lungs are not functioning properly?
Other buffers have to do more work, which is not ideal.
71
What is the effect of increased protein levels on bicarbonate buffering?
Increased protein levels enhance the effectiveness of bicarbonate as a buffer.
72
Fill in the blank: A change in pH of one unit corresponds to a _____ change in proton concentration.
10-fold.
73
What is the proton concentration at a pH of 7.6 with normal arterial PCO2?
Higher than normal bicarbonate concentration, around 30-38 millimoles per liter.
74
What happens to proton concentration as bicarbonate levels increase?
Proton concentration decreases.
75
What is the relationship between bicarbonate concentration and proton concentration at a pH of 7.6?
The proton concentration is low which can be a reason for high bicarbonate levels, or bicarbonate concentration is high because proton concentration is low.
## Footnote
This highlights the inverse relationship between bicarbonate and proton concentrations in blood acid-base balance.
76
What happens to pH and bicarbonate levels when PCO2 is higher than normal?
pH decreases and bicarbonate levels slightly increase.
## Footnote
This is a characteristic of uncompensated respiratory acidosis.
77
What occurs in uncompensated respiratory alkalosis?
PCO2 is low, pH is high, and bicarbonate levels are lower than normal.
## Footnote
This is due to excessive CO2 elimination.
78
How does the kidney respond to respiratory alkalosis over time?
The kidney compensates by adjusting bicarbonate levels.
## Footnote
This compensation takes time and does not occur immediately.
79
What does a higher than normal PCO2 indicate regarding blood pH?
It indicates a lower blood pH.
## Footnote
This is a key point in understanding acid-base disturbances.
80
What is the typical bicarbonate level and pH in normal conditions?
Bicarbonate level is about 24 mEq/L and pH is approximately 7.4.
## Footnote
These values are critical for understanding acid-base balance.
81
What can cause respiratory acidosis?
Poor lung function, decreased ventilation, brain stem injury, or spinal cord injury.
## Footnote
These factors can lead to CO2 retention and subsequent acidosis.
82
What is kyphoscoliosis and how does it affect breathing?
Kyphoscoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that can reduce chest wall compliance, making breathing difficult.
## Footnote
Surgical correction often leads to reduced flexibility, impacting respiratory function.
83
How does obesity affect respiratory function?
Obesity can reduce chest wall compliance, making it harder to breathe, especially when lying down.
## Footnote
This can lead to respiratory insufficiency in severe cases.
84
What role do opiates play in respiratory depression?
Opiates can suppress the respiratory centers in the brain, leading to respiratory insufficiency.
## Footnote
Overdose can be fatal due to this suppression.
85
True or False: Benzodiazepines alone typically cause severe respiratory depression.
False.
## Footnote
Benzodiazepines usually require combination with other depressants, such as alcohol, to cause severe respiratory issues.
86
Fill in the blank: Respiratory acidosis is often characterized by a _______ blood pH and _______ bicarbonate levels.
lower; slightly elevated.
## Footnote
This reflects the body's response to elevated CO2 levels.
87
What is the expected pH during severe respiratory acidosis?
pH around 7.1 or lower.
## Footnote
This indicates a significant disturbance in acid-base balance.
