Ph

Question 1

What 2 organs help regulate the ph balance in the body?

Answer 1

Lungs and kidneys.

Question 2

What is the carbonic acid equation?

Answer 2

CO2 + H2O <=> h2CO3 <=> H++HCO3-

Question 3

What ph is acidosis?

Answer 3

<7.0

Question 4

What ph is alkalosis?

Answer 4

> 7.0

Question 5

What are the 4 ph imbalances?

Answer 5

Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis

Question 6

Describe respiratory acidosis and list both common CAUSES and compensatory mechanism
S+S?

Answer 6

Lungs are unable to remove enough CO2 resulting in a build up of CO2 in the blood combining with H2O creating carbonic acid H2CO3. The excess carbonic acid dissociates into hydrogen ions H+ and bicarbonate ions HCO3- causing a decrease in blood ph making it more acidic.

Cause = Decrease in ventilation eg: depression of the respiratory centre in brain stem due to drugs or trauma.

Compensatory mechanisms = Kidneys tries to compensate by increasing HCO3 reabsorption and H+ secretion. But if the underlying cause persists like CNS depression, the compensation isn’t enough leading to a decrease in ventilation, increasing CO2 in blood.

S+S = visual disturbances and disorientation

Question 7

Describe respiratory alkalosis and list both common causes and compensatory mechanism
S+S?

Answer 7

Too much CO2 is expelled by lungs leaving too little H+ in blood resulting in the rise of blood ph. This can be due to hyperventilation because of hypoxemia, pain, anxiety, fever or sepsis.

Compensatory = Kidneys try to compensate by increasing the reabsorption of H+ and secretion of HCO3- into urine.
S+S = Dizziness, confusion, tingling, convulsions and muscle spasm.

Question 8

Describe metabolic acidosis and list both common causes AND OTHER CAUSES? and compensatory mechanism?
S+S?

Answer 8

TOO MUCH ACID IN THE BLOOD AND CAN BE CAUSED BY THE loss of bicarbonate from body OR through kidneys or GI system.

If lost through kidneys = accumulation of acid.

If lost through GI system, it could be due to conditions such as diarrhoea.

Another cause = Increase in acid production in body due to conditions such lactic acidosis or ketoacidosis, which can occur in people with diabetes.

Exposure or ingestion of certain toxic substances cans be a cause too

Lungs will try to compensate via hyperventilation
S+S = Confusion, headache, coma, hyperventilation

Question 9

Describe metabolic alkalosis and list both common causes and compensatory mechanism
S+S?

Answer 9

Too much acid lost or too much bicarbonate is retained resulting in ph rise AND CAN BE FATAL IF LEFT UNTREATED
Acid loss = occurs through increased renal loss from the use of diuretics or GI loss from vomiting.
Increased bicarbonate = Excess administration of bicarbonate eg IV solution.
Compensatory = Lungs will try to compensate by HYPOventilation.
S+S = ACC
ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA
CONFUSION
CONVULSIONS

Question 10

Name one electrolyte imbalance. WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS and outline the causes and S+S.

Answer 10

Hypernatremia = TOO MUCH SODIUM IN BLOOD.
Cause = Increase in sodium intake or decrease in water intake/loss resulting in decrease in total water volume in body.
The overall result is an increase in blood osmolarity, causing water to move out of cells, leading to cell shrinkage and dysfunction.
S+S = Thirst, dry mucous membranes, hypovolemia, fever and weight gain.

In terms of CNS symptoms, hypernatremia can cause muscle twitching, hyperreflexia (overactive reflexes), convulsions, coma, and cerebral hemorrhage.