Acid-Base Imbalance Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the physiological mechanisms, causes, and symptoms of acid-base imbalances (Metabolic/Respiratory Acidosis and Alkalosis) based on the lecture notes.

Normal pH Range

The standard concentration of $H^+$ ion in the blood, which stays between $7.35$ and $7.45$, with an average value of $7.40$.

Hyperkalemia

A result of acidosis where high extracellular fluid (ECF) concentrations of $H^+$ diffuse into cells, causing the dominant intracellular cation $K^+$ to move to the ECF.

Hypokalemia

A result of alkalosis where reduced ECF $H^+$ concentration favors its diffusion out of cells, and $K^+$ diffuses into the cells to compensate for lost intracellular cations.

Ionized Calcium

The free form of $Ca^{2+}$ in the plasma (about 40\text{%} or $2.4$ $mEq/L$) that performs the most important physiologic functions.

Tetany

Symptoms caused by a decreased concentration of ionized $Ca^{2+}$, often resulting from alkalosis which increases protein-bound calcium and decreases free calcium.

Hydrogenated hemoglobin ($H^+\text{-}Hb$)

Forms when $H^+$ combines with hemoglobin that has released its $O_2$; it buffers the $H^+$ and makes venous blood slightly more acidic than arterial blood.

Acidosis

A condition where the blood pH falls below $7.35$.

Alkalosis

A condition where the blood pH rises above $7.45$.

Death pH Thresholds

Clinical points where survival is unlikely, occurring if blood pH falls below $6.8$ or rises above $8.0$.

Metabolic Acidosis

A condition marked by a declining pH due to a rise in $H^+$ or a fall in $HCO_3^-$; often caused by increased acid metabolic products like lactic acid.

Kussmaul’s respirations

A rapid and deep pattern of breathing produced as respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis.

Nonvolatile acid (Fixed acid)

Acids produced in the body that are not eliminated by the lungs, such as lactic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid.

Metabolic Alkalosis

A condition caused by the loss of acid from the GI tract (e.g., vomiting or nasogastric suction) or excessive secretion of $H^+$ due to aldosterone hypersecretion.

Hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis

Alkalosis caused by vomiting with the depletion of ECF and $Cl^-$, where the kidneys paradoxicaly reabsorb $HCO_3^-$ to maintain anionic balance.

Respiratory Acidosis

A build-up of $CO_2$ in the plasma that lowers pH, caused by faulty pulmonary function such as ARDS, asthma, or chronic airway obstruction (CAO).

Tachypnea

A rapid respiratory rate, which initially occurs in respiratory acidosis before the respiratory center adapts to high $CO_2$ levels.

Bradypnea

A decreased respiratory rate that may occur over time as the respiratory center adapts to increasing levels of $CO_2$ in respiratory acidosis.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A result of excessive pulmonary $CO_2$ clearance, often due to hyperventilation or psychogenic states like anxiety.

Hypocapnia

An excessive reduction of $CO_2$ in the blood, which is a hallmark of respiratory alkalosis.

Paresthesia

A clinical manifestation of alkalosis characterized by a sensation of numbness or tingling.