Week 3 - pH, Buffers and Electrolytes

Question 1

Nurses monastery and record the fluid input and output of patients in a fluid balance chart

List 4 days water H2) exists the human body

Answer 1

1= urine
2 = sweat
3 = faeces
4 = loss of H20 via skin and lungs

Question 2

AN excessive loss of water from the blood (extracellular fluid) through sweating would cause water to be moved by osmosis from where in the human body?

Answer 2

interstitial fluid and intercellular fluid

Question 3

The movement of this water from the tissue fluid into the blood would cause water to move out
of the cells. How would this affect the volume and osmotic concentration of these cells?

Answer 3

cells shrink which increases osmotic concentration

Question 4

Would an isotonic or hypertonic intravenous solution be prescribed and administered to correct
this dehydrated condition?

Answer 4

• Isotonic solution (0.9% Na Cl)
• Hypotonic solution

Question 5

Describe what the symbol pH defines

Answer 5

• Hydrogen ion concentration (H+)
• Acidity or alkalinity ( basic)

Question 6

. Name the two major organs that help maintain the homeostatic pH of the blood.

Answer 6

lungs
kidneys

Question 7

The dominant electrolyte in the extracellular fluid is .
a) potassium (K+)
b) sodium (Na+)
c) bicarbonate (HCO -)
d) calcium (Ca2+)

Answer 7

b) sodium (Na+)

Question 8

Describe how gastroenteritis could potentially influence the pH of a patients’ blood.

Answer 8

Loss of fluid and electrolytes which reduces blood volume and blood pressure causing an imbalance
in Ph.

Question 9

Comment on the effect of diarrhoea (bicarbonate-rich, HCO3
- loss) on blood volume, blood
pressure and blood pH. This is also a metabolic condition.

Answer 9

• Blood pH decreases (Acidic) due to HCO3- loss
• Increase in concentration of body fluids
• Reduced Blood volume
  causing Hypotension

Question 10

Nurses monitor and record the fluid balance and vital signs of patients.
12. Comment on the effect of severe vomiting (hydrochloric acid, HCl loss) on blood volume, blood
pressure and blood pH. As this condition has resulted from a non-respiratory cause it is classified as
a metabolic condition.

Answer 10

• Blood pH increases (Alkaline) due to H+ Loss
• Increase in concentration of body fluids
• Reduced Blood volume
  causing Hypotension

Question 11

Nurses carry out urinalysis on the urine of patients.
11. How would this renal tubular reabsorption or secretion of H+ effect the pH of a patients’ urine?

Answer 11

pH of urine would change

Question 12

Comment on the effect of severe vomiting (hydrochloric acid, HCl loss) on blood volume, blood
pressure and blood pH. As this condition has resulted from a non-respiratory cause it is classified as
a metabolic condition

Answer 12

Blood pH increases (Alkaline) due to H+ Loss
Increase in concentration of body fluids
Reduced Blood volume
causing Hypotension

Question 13

13. Comment on the effect of diarrhoea (bicarbonate-rich, HCO3
    - loss) on blood volume, blood
    pressure and blood pH. This is also a metabolic condition

Answer 13

Blood pH decreases (Acidic) due to HCO3- loss
Increase in concentration of body fluids
Reduced Blood volume
causing Hypotension

Question 14

The dominant electrolyte in the extracellular fluid is .
a) potassium (K+)
b) sodium (Na+)
c) bicarbonate (HCO -)
d) calcium (Ca2+)

Answer 14

b) sodium (Na+

Question 15

Describe how gastroenteritis could potentially influence the pH of a patients’ blood.

Answer 15

loss of fluid and electrolytes which reduces blood volume and blood pressure causing an imbalance
in Ph

Question 16

The normal pH range of blood is _____ to _____.

Answer 16

7.35 - 7.45

Question 17

Acidosis occurs when the blood pH falls below _____, and alkalosis occurs when the blood pH rises above _____.

Answer 17

7.35 and 7.45

Question 17

3. The major extracellular cation is _____, and the major intracellular cation is _____.

Answer 17

• sodium
• potassium

Question 18

4. The normal serum level of sodium (Na+) is typically between _____ and _____ mEq/L.

Answer 18

135 and 145

Question 19

5. A normal serum potassium (K+) level ranges from _____ to _____ mEq/L.

Answer 19

3.5 to 5.0

Question 20

6. When the body experiences acidosis, the kidneys compensate by excreting _____ ions and retaining _____ ions.

Answer 20

• Excreting hydrogen ions
• Retaining bicarbonate ions

Question 21

7. Hyperkalemia refers to an elevated level of potassium greater than _____ mEq/L.

Answer 21

5.0

Question 22

The body’s pH balance is maintained by buffers, respiratory regulation, and renal function.

Answer 22

true

Question 23

2. Acidosis results in decreased hydrogen ion concentration in the blood.

Answer 23

false

Question 24

3. Hypernatremia can occur when there is an excess of sodium in the body, often associated with dehydration.

Answer 24

true

Question 25

4. Potassium is primarily an extracellular electrolyte.

Answer 25

false it is intracellular

Question 26

5. The kidneys help regulate pH by excreting or reabsorbing hydrogen ions and bicarbonate.

Answer 26

true

Question 27

6. When a patient is in metabolic alkalosis, the body will compensate by retaining carbon dioxide (CO2) through shallow breathing.

Answer 27

true

Question 28

7. Hyperkalemia may cause muscle weakness and arrhythmias.

Answer 28

true

Question 29

8. Bicarbonate (HCO3-) is an important buffer that helps maintain the acid-base balance in the body.

Answer 29

true

Question 30

1) If a patient presents with shallow breathing and confusion, what acid-base imbalance might they have?

Answer 30

respiratory acidosis

Question 31

2) A patient is diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. What type of acid-base disturbance are they likely to have?

Answer 31

metabolic acidosis

Question 32

3) A patient with vomiting and excessive diarrhea is at risk for which type of acid-base imbalance?

Answer 32

metabolic alkalosis or metabolic acidosis