SM_159a: Acid Base Flashcards
What is the formula for pH?
pH = log (1 / H+) = – log [H+]
(as [H+] increases, pH decreases)

What are two common acidic groups?

What is an anion?
Conjugate base of an acid
What is a buffer?
A buffer is a combination of acid + conjugate base which minimizes changes in H+
What is pK?
pK = pH at which [acid] = [conjugate base]
Buffers are most effective at pK _____ pH unit(s)
Buffers are most effective at pK ± 1 pH unit
What is acidemia?
[H+] is elevated in blood and pH is decreased below normal (< 7.35)
What is alkalemia?
[H+] is decreased in blood and pH is elevated from normal (> 7.45)
What is acidosis?
Process tending to decrease pH or increase [H+]
Says nothing about the specific pH
What is alkalemia?
Process tending to increase pH or decrease [H+]
Says nothing about the specific pH
What is a respiratory process?
Process in which PaCO2 is changed
Respiratory acidosis is caused by ________
Respiratory acidosis is caused by hypoventilation
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by _______
Respiratory alkalosis is caused by hyperventilation
Metabolic acidosis is caused by ________ or ________
Metabolic acidosis is caused by the addition of nonvolatile (fixed) acid (e.g. lactic acid) or loss of base
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by ________ or ________
Metabolic alkalosis is caused by addition of bases (e.g. sodium bicarbonate) or loss of acid
What is a buffer?
A substance that reduces a change in pH or [H+] when an acid or base is added or subtravted
Describe the bicarbonate buffer system
- pK = 6.1 which is > 1 pH unit from pHa of 7.4 (effective because lungs continuously expire CO2)
- Buffers metabolic acids or bases
- Primary extracellular buffer

What is the isohydric principle?
- The bodies contains multiple buffer pairs (HA and A-) which are all in equilibrium with each other via their effect on [H+]
- Altering equilibrium of one buffer pair alters the [H+] and equilibrium for all buffer pairs

In the isohydric principle, _____ buffer pairs contribute to equilibrium pH
pH can be calculated from _______
In the isohydric principle, all buffer pairs contribute to equilibrium pH
pH can be calculated from knowledge of the ratio of any one of the buffer pairs

What is the Henderson-Hasselbach equation?

On the PCO2 – HCO3- diagram, slope ______ as pH increases
On the PCO2 – HCO3- diagram, slope increases as pH increases

On the Davenport idagram, slope _____ as PCO2 increases
On the Davenport idagram, slope increases as PCO2 increases

What happens when you give an HCl bolus to a ventilated patient?
Metabolic acidosis
- Shifts buffer equations: H+ + HCO3- -> CO2 + H2O such that there is a pronounced decrease in [HCO3-]

Uncomplicated metabolic acidosis is indicated by _____ pH and caused by ______ HCO3-
Uncomplicated metabolic acidosis is indicated by decreased pH and caused by decreased HCO3-












