Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
AHII - Chapter 14
Concepts of Acid-Base Balance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Acid-base balance | Maintenance of arterial blood pH between 7.35 & 7.45 through regulation of hydrogen ion production & elimination |
| Acids | Substances that release hydrogen ions when dissolved -> increasing the amount of free hydrogen ions in that solution |
| Bases | Bind free hydrogen ions in solution & lower the amount of free hydrogen ions in solution (Most common: bicarbonate aka HCO3) |
| Buffers | Substances that can react as either an acid or base when dissolved, just depends on the fluid's pH |
| Normal ranges | pH: 7.35 - 7.45 (Anything lower = acidic; anything higher = basic) CO2: 35 - 45 (Respiratory) HCO3: 21 - 28 (Metabolic) |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | Carbon dioxide content of a fluid is directly related to the amount of free hydrogen ions in that fluid; therefore, eliminating extra CO2 during exhalation can bring hydrogen levels back to normal |
| Defense | Buffers: 1st line of defense; respiratory: 2nd line of defense by breathing (hyperventilation or hypoventilation); kidneys: 3rd line of defense by movement of bicarbonate |
| Compensation | The body adapts to attempt to correct changes in blood pH & maintain acid-base balance |
| Acidosis vs. alkalosis | Acidosis: imbalances in which blood pH is below normal; alkalosis: imbalances in which blood pH is above normal. No specific disorders that cause overproduction of bicarbonate -> health probs are more likely to cause acidosis |
| Relative acidosis | Amount of acids does not increase; the amount or strength of the bases decreases (base deficit) |
| Common causes of acidosis | Metabolic: overproduction of hydrogen ions, underelimination of hydrogen ions, underproduction of bicarbonate, overelimination of bicarbonate Respiratory: underelimination of hydrogen ions |
| S/S of acidosis | Cardio: ranges from bradycardia - heart block, tall T waves, widened QRS complex, thready peripheral pulses, & hypotension CNS: depressed activity Neuromuscular: hyporeflexia, muscle weakness, & flaccid paralysis Resp: Kussmaul respirations |
| S/S of acidosis | Integumentary: warm, flushed, dry skin (metabolic); pale-to-cyanotic, dry skin (respiratory) Psychosocial: cognitive changes may be the 1st signs Labs: important to distinguish metabolic vs. respiratory for treatment |
| Metabolic acidosis interventions | Hydration & drugs or treatments to control the problem causing the acidosis (Bicarbonate is given only if serum bicarbonate levels are low & the pH is less than 7.2) |
| Respiratory acidosis interventions | Drug therapy, oxygen therapy, pulmonary hygiene, & ventilatory support |
| Relative alkalosis | The actual amount of bases does not increase, but the amount of the acids decreases, creating an acid deficit |
| S/S of alkalosis | CNS: increased activity, anxiety, irritability, tetany, seizures, positive Chvostek sign, positive Trousseau sign, & paresthesias Neuromuscular: hyperreflexia, muscle cramping & twitching, muscle weakness |
| S/S of alkalosis | Cardio: increased HR, normal or low BP, & increased digoxin toxicity Resp: hyperventilation (respiratory) & decreased respiratory effort associated with skeletal muscle weakness (metabolic) |
| Alkalosis interventions | Drug therapy & ***prevention of injury from falls due to hypotension & muscle weakness symptoms |
Created by:
tatianalopez03
Popular USMLE sets