What happens to pCO2 in resp acidosis?
increases
What is the respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis?
hypoventilation -> raises pCO2 -> extra acid which nudges ratio back down toward normal -> lowers pH closer to 7.4
What happens to HCO3- in met acidosis?
How does the HCO3-:pCO2 ratio change in met acidosis?
it decreases because bicarbonate buffers the excess acid
the ratio decreases -> pH falls
What is the primary problem in respiratory acidosis?
Give two causes of respiratory acidosis.
hypoventilation -> CO2 retention (hypercapnia)
What does the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation show?
shows that pH is a balance between metabolic factors (HCO3-) and respiratory factors (pCO2)
How does the HCO3-:pCO2 ratio change in respiratory acidosis?
ratio decreases -> pH falls = acidaemia
What is the main problem in met alkalosis?
Give two common causes of met alkalosis.
excess bicarbonate or loss of hydrogen ions
What is an acid?
What is a base?
What is pH?
acid = substance that forms hydrogen ions H+ when dissolved in water
base = substance that forms hydroxide ions OH- when dissolved in water
pH = quantitative measure of the acidity or basicity of aqueous or other liquid solutions
How does the HCO3-:pCO2 ratio change in resp alkalosis?
ratio increases -> pH rises (alkalaemia)
In regards to respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis, list the cause and give an example as to what would cause it.
Mention the effect of effect on PCO2 and the ratio impact.
RESP ACIDOSIS - hypoventilation (e.g COPD, resp depression from drugs)
- increased CO2 (hypercapnia) due to inadequate exhalation of CO2
- ratio impact: decreased HCO3-:pCO2 ratio = decreased pH
RESP ALKALOSIS - hyperventilation (e.g anxiety, high altitude)
- decreased pCO2 (hypocapnia) due to excessive exhalation of CO2
- ratio impact: increased HCO3:pCO2 = increase in pH
What is the main difference between respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis?
RESP ACIDOSIS
- hypoventilation e.g COPD, resp depression from drugs
- INCREASED pCO2 (HYPERCAPNIA) due to inadequate exhalation of CO2
RESP ALKALOSIS
- hyperventilation e.g anxiety, high altitude
- DECREASED pCO2 (hypocapnia) due to excessive exhalation of CO2
Fill in the gaps and explain why.
What determines pH according to the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation?
the ratio of [HCO₃⁻] (base) to pCO₂ (acid)
What happens when the HCO₃⁻:pCO₂ ratio increases?
means that pH INCREASES = ALKALOSIS
What happens when the HCO₃⁻:pCO₂ ratio decreases?
pH decreases = ACIDOSIS so its either:
MET ACIDOSIS = loss of BICARB e.g diarrhoea or ACCUMULATION OF ACID e.g DKA - decreased HCO3 due to bicarb buffering excess acid
MET ALKALOSIS = excess bicarb e.g from vomiting or loss of hydrogen ions = INCREASED HCO3
Your blood pH depends on which two main factors? What is each controlled by?
CO2 -> acid -> controlled by lungs
HCO3- -> bicarb -> controlled by kidneys
What would you get with each:
a) CO2 too high
b) CO2 too low
c) HCO3- too low
d) HCO3 too high
a) high CO2 = acidosis
b) low CO2 = alkalosis
c) low HCO3 = acidosis
d) high HCO3 = alkalosis
What occurs in respiratory acidosis?
What occurs in metabolic acidosis?
What occurs in respiratory alkalosis?
What occurs in metabolic alkalosis?
What kind of blood imbalance does vomiting cause and why?
How do the kidneys attempt to compensate?
metabolic alkalosis
What is met acidosis?
What are the two main mechanisms causing met acidosis?
a decrease in blood pH due to low bicarb from either losing base or gaining acid