| Question |
Answer |
| Normal pH |
7.35-7.45 |
| Normal PCO2 |
35-45 |
| Normal HCO3 |
22-26 |
| Alkalosis pH |
>7.45 |
| Acidosis pH |
<7.35 |
| PCO2 >45 |
respiratory acidosis |
| PCO2 <35 |
respiratory alkalosis |
| HCO3 >26 |
metabolic alkalosis |
| HCO3 <22 |
metabolic acidosis |
| If PCO2 between 35-45 then |
No respiratory problems and no respiratory compensation for metabolic problems |
| if HCO3 between 22-26 then |
No primary metabolic problems and the kidneys are not compensating for respiratory problems |
| If PCO2 >45 then |
Respiratory retention of CO2 to compensate for metabolic alkalosis |
| If PCO2 <35 then |
Respiratory retention of CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis |
| If HCO3 <22 then |
Kidneys are attempting to compensate for respiratory alkalosis |
| If HCO3 >26 then |
Kidneys are attempting to compensate for repiratory acidosis |
| Causes of respiratory alkalosis |
Alveolar hyperventilation |
| Causes of respiratory acidosis |
Alveolar hypoventilation |
| Causes of metabolic alkalosis |
Bicarbonate ingestion, vomiting, diuretics, steroids, adrenal disease |
| Causes of metabolic acidosis |
Diabetic, lactic, or uremic acidosis, prolonged diarrhea |
| Signs/Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis |
Dizziness, syncope, tingling, numbness, early tetany |
| Signs/Symptoms respiratory acidosis |
Early: anxiety, restlessness, dyspnea, headache; Late: confusion, somnolence, coma |
| Signs/Symptoms metabolic alkalosis |
Vague symptoms: weakness, mental dullness, possible early tetany |
| Signs/Symptoms metabolic acidosis |
Secondary hyperventilation (Kussmaul's breathing), nausea and vomiting, cardiac dysrhythmias, lethargy, and coma |
| 7.35- 7.45 |
normal ph |
| 35 -45 |
normal CO2 |
| 22-26 |
normal HCO3 |
