Acid-Base Balance – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
pH
answer
indicator of the acidity or basicity of a solution. Measure of the hydrogen ion concentration.
question
pH ranges
answer
0-14. pH<7.0 is acidic, pH>7.0 is basic, pH=7.0 is neutral.
question
Normal Blood pH
answer
7.35-7.45 values slightly above or below this range may be compatible with life, but can lead to serious acidosis or alkalosis.
question
Effects of Altered pH in the blood
answer
Enzymes can become destructive or not function properly, oxygen delivery can be severely compromised, organ systems can become compromised, food digestion and absorbtion can be affected.
question
Acidosis
answer
(academia) high hydrogen ion concentration. Blood pH <7.35.
question
Alkalosis
answer
(alkalemia) low hydrogen ion concentration. Blood pH >7.45.
question
Plasma Total CO2 (TCO2)
answer
estimate of the sum of bicarbonate (HCO3), carbonic acid (H2CO3), and dissolved CO2.  Venous blood can be used, performed with urea and electrolytes tests.
question
Oxygen (PO2)
answer
measures the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood and how well oxygen is able to move from the lungs into the blood.
question
Carbon Dioxide (PCO2)
answer
MEasures gaseous carbon dioxide in the blood, and how well carbon dioxide can exit the body.  Indicates whether a respiratory problem exists.  Low PCO2 indicates hyperventilation.  High PCO2 indicates hypoventilation.
question
OXygen Saturation Point (SO2)
answer
measure of the capacity of oxygen transport.  percentage of hemoglobing binding sites in the bloodstream occupied by oxygen (oxyhemoglobin)
question
Henderson-Hasselbach Equation
answer
pH=pKa + log[HCO3]/[H2CO3]
question
[HCO3]
answer
represents the contribution of pH from the kidneys.
question
[H2CO3]
answer
represents the contribution of pH from the lungs.
question
What is the ratio of (HCO3)/(H2CO3) in healthy individuals?
answer
20/1.
question
Ka & pKa
answer

Ka represents the concentrations of ions that dissociate when an acid is placed in solution. It is known as the "dissociation constant."

pKa is the negative log of the "dissociation constant"

question
Buffer
answer
Solutions of weak acids or bases and their associated salts.  Resists changes in pH by reacting with an acid or base.
question
Weak Acid
answer
substance that separates less readily into ions.  gives up H+ ions with difficulty.  forms conjugated bases with the loss of hydrogen ions.
question
Weak Base
answer
Substance that has the slight affinity to gain hydrogen ions.  form conjugate acids with the additon of hydrogen ions.
question
How does a buffer work with a STRONG acid?
answer
hydrogen ions of the strong acid will react with the conjugate base of the buffer system, reducing the concentration of hydrogen ions by making a weak acid.
question
How does a buffer work with a STRONG base?
answer
hydroxide (OH-) ions of the base react with the weak acid of the buffer system, reducing OH ions by making water and the conjugate base of the weak acid.
question
Acid-Base Balance
answer
amount of acid or base produced and absorbed equals the amount of acid or base excreted and expired.
question
What are the 4 acid-base balance systems?
answer

Intracellular Buffers (inside all cells)

Extracellular Buffers (Blood, urine, CSF)

Respiratory MEchanisms (Lungs)

REnal Mechanisms (Kidneys)

question
Extracellular Buffers
answer
React very rapidly (Within seconds) with the lungs.  Include; Bicarbonate-Carbonic Acid, Proteins, Phosphate.
question
Intracellular Buffers
answer
Found in all cells of body.  Bicarbonate-Carbonic Acid, Hemoglobin, Proteins, Phosphate.
question
Bicarbonate-Carbonic Acid (HCO3/H2CO3)
answer
main buffer of plasma.  Regualted by the lungs (changes with ventalation and CO2 excretion). Regulated by the kidneys (reabsorbtion of Bicarb, and excretion of hydrogen ions). Works by using hydrogen ions to react with bicarb to from carbonic acid.
question
Hemoglobin
answer
Main buffer systems inside the RBC. Hb binds either Carbon dioxide or hydrogen ions produced from cell metabolism to minimize pH changes in the body.
CO2 + Hb <---> HbCO2 (Carboxyhemogobin)
question
Protein
answer
one of the main bufers inside the cells and plasma.  Made up of a series of amino acids that have side groups, which are either positive or negative charge.  NEgative amino acids can bind hydroen ions to minimize pH change.
question
Phosphate (HPO42-/H2PO4-) Buffer
answer
Buufer of extracellular fluid, Intracellular fluid and the kidneys.  Composed of Monohydrogen Phosphate (weak base, H+ acceptor) and Dihydrogenphosphate (Conjugate acid, H+ donor.).
question
Internal Respiration
answer
cells/tissues.  production of faseous CO2 from the metabolism and the diffusion of this CO2 into plasma and RBCS for transport to the lungs.
question
External Respiration
answer
lungs.  Diffusion of gaseous CO2 from plasma and the RBCs to the alveoli for excretion.
question
Ventilation
answer
the rate of the air exhcange between the lungs, O2 inhaled and CO2 exhaled.
question
PArtial Pressure
answer
the force exerted by a single gas that is present in a mixture of several gases.
question
How do respiratory mechanisms aid in acid-base balance?
answer
chemosensitive areas of the brain stem detect changes in PCO2 or Hydrogen ion concentration, these changes become a potent stimulator of respiration.  The respiratory center responds by either increasing or decreasing ventilation.
question
Hyperventilation
answer
increased ventilation, faster and deeper breathing, decreases CO2 and H+ in the extracellular fluid.
question
Hypoventilation
answer
decreased ventilation, slower and shallow breathing, increases CO2 and H+ in extracellular fluid.
question

Explain Internal Respiration

(only until the CO2 diffuses into the RBC)

answer

1) O2 is consumed, CO2 is produced in the cell, this increases PC02 in cells.

2) This increase in PCO2 in the cells causes the diffusion of gaseous CO2 out of the cells into the interstitial fluid, raising the PCO2 of the interstitial fluid.

3) The increase in interestitial PCO2 causes the diffusion of CO2 into the plasma.

4) As plasma PCO2 increases 89% of CO2 diffuses into the red blood cell, the other 11% remains as 1% bound to amino groups, 5% converted to Bicarb, 5% converted to carbonic acid.

question
After CO2 is diffused into the RBCs what happens?
answer

of the 89%:

5% is dissolved gaseous CO2.

21% of gaseous CO2 is bound to the globin portion of Hb

63% reacts with water to form Carbonic acid.

Most of the Carbon Dioxide is transported to the lungs in plasma as bicarbonate ions.

question
Describe External Respiration
answer

The 89% of CO2 in the red blood cell travel to the alveoli. 

5% of this is exhaled, 21% comes from carbinohemoglobinm and 63% comes from plasma bicarbonate, and when in the lungs, the chloride shift causes the diffusion of bicarb back into the RBC, Bicarb reacts with H+ to form carbonic acid which dissociates to water and CO2, which is hten exhaled.

question
Chloride Shift
answer
the simulataneous exchange of chloride ions into the RBC for bicarbonate ions out of the red blood cell.
question
What percent of O2 is dissolved in plasma?  What happens to it?
answer
1.5%.  IT diffuses out of the capillaries and into the cells/tissues.
question
What percent of blood oxygen is bound to Hb, and how?
answer
98.5% There are four iron-heme sites in each Hb molecule and each iron atom can bind one oxygen molecule.
question
What is the total amount of oxygen in 1L of arterial blood?  How is it dispersed?
answer
200mL.  Approximately 3 mL is dissolved in plasma (this is the form that is measured for PCO2), 197 mL is bound to Hb inside the RBC.
question
What is the primary from of O2 transport?
answer
Oxyhemoglobin.
question
What is the PO2 in the lungs, what happens when it reaches this?
answer
105 mm Hg, more oxyhemoglobin is formed.
question
PO2 in blood vessels?  Corresponds with?
answer
95 mm Hg, with a 97% oxygen saturation in a normal healthy person.
question
PO2 of interstitual flyid?  What happens?
answer
40mm Hg, faciliates diffusion of O2 from plasma into cells, O2 will be released from Hb to meet cellular needs.
question
PO2 of the cells?  What happened?
answer
5-40mm Hg, cells consume about 25-35% of the normal oxygen in blood.
question
What affects PO2?
answer
Increased blood flow to the tissue.
question
What factors affect oxygen binding to Hb?
answer
Bohr effect, Temperature, 2,3 DPG
question
Properties of the Renal Mechanisms in Acid-Base Balance
answer
reacts slowly to changes in pH, and lasts longer than other mechanism. helps maintain the pH of urine between 4.5 to 8.0. Exrete acids as Hydrogen ions, and base as bicarb.
question
Hydrogen ion excretion in urine
answer
Hydrogen ions are neutralized by other buffer systesm found in urine: Bicarb-carbonic acid, ammonia-ammonium, phosphate, urate, and citrate.
question
Reabsorbtion of Bicarb back into the blood
answer
Gaseous CO2 diffueses from blood and urine into the renal tubular cells and forms carbonic acid. Bicarb is formed from the dissociation of Carbonic acid and reabsorbed into the plasma along with Na+ ions.
question
Ammonia-Ammonium Buffer
answer
Accounts for 60% excretion of hydrogen from acids in the from of Ammonium ion. Bicarb is formed from the degradation of glutamine along with ammoniums. Bicarm is reabsorbed into the plasma, and the ammonium is buffered in the urine.
question
SErum Electrolytes
answer
Routine test, used to screen or monitor electrolyte or acid-base imbalaces (ordered along with ABG). Measures key electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, HCO3) Bicarb is reported as tCO2
question
Anion Gap
answer
direct measure of the concetration of unmeasured acid anions. difference between the measure cations and the measured anions. Increase indicates metabolic acidosis.
question
Arterial Blood Gases
answer
measures acid-base balance and oxygenation status in the blood. Evaluates gas exchange in the lungs by measure pH, PCO2, PO2, SO2. Should be analyzed immediately or stored on ice water and analyzed within 1 hour.
question
Why are ABGs not performed frequently?
answer
Painful procedure, preanalytical erros.
question
Base Excess (base deficit)
answer
Measures all buffers in the blood. the deviation of all blood buffers in a patient sample. calculates the amount of acid or base that would have to be addd to the blood to bring it to normal pH. Negative or Positive. NEgative indicates acidosis, positive value indicates alkalosis. Affected by blood lactate and organic acids.
question
Clinical Significance of Acidosis
answer
Increased acid production from metabolism, decreased acid excretion, increased excretion of base. Occurs when pH<7.35
question
Alkalosis causes
answer
Decreased excretion of base, excess excretion of acids. Occurs when pH>7.35
question
Respiratory Acidosis Findings
answer
Excess carbon dioxide retention. pH<7.35, PCO2>40mm HG, HCO3->24mEq/L
question
Respiratory Acidosis Causes
answer
CNS depression from drugs, injury or disease, Asphyxia, Hypoventilation.
question
REspiratory Alkalosis Findings
answer
Excess CO2 excretion. pH>7.45, PCO2<40mm Hg, HCO3-<24mEg/L.
question
Respiratory Alkalosis Causes
answer
Hyperventilation, Respiratory stumylation, gram-negative bacterial infections.
question
Metabolic Acidosis Findings
answer
Kidneys increase excretion of bicarbonate.<24meq>CAsues retention of acids in the blood pH<7.35 and PCO2 <40mm Hg
question
MEtabolic Acidosis Causes
answer
Bicarbonate depleteion due to renal disease, excessive production of organic acids, endocrine disorders.
question
Metabolic Alkalosis Findings
answer
Kidneys decrease excretion of bicarbonate>25mEq/L.
CAuses excretion of acids from the blood. pH>7.45 and PCO2 >40mm Hg
question
MEtabolic Alkalosis Causes
answer
Excessive excreiton of acids due to renal disease, loss of gastric hydrochloric acid, Loss of potassium, excessive alkali ingestions.
question
Lactic Acidosis
answer
Most common type of metabolic acidosis. Excess production or diminish removal of lactic acid.
question
Type A Lactic Acidosis
answer
caused by inadequate Oxygen delivery, caused by shock, cardiac arrest, severe anemia, carbon monoxide, and hypoxia.
question
Type B Lactic acidosis
answer
adequate O2 delivery, caused by epileptic seizures, cyanide poisoning, strokes, uncontroleed diabetes mellitus and liver failure.
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New