Acid-Base Balance Review

Flashcards to review key concepts of acid-base balance, including pH regulation, respiratory and metabolic disorders, compensation mechanisms, and diagnostic analysis.

What is the normal pH range of extracellular fluids?

7.35 - 7.45 (slightly basic)

What happens to pH when there is more H+?

pH decreases (acidosis)

What happens to pH when there is less H+?

pH increases (alkalosis)

What are the two main types of acid-base disorders?

Respiratory and Metabolic

What does PCO2 assess in acid-base balance, and what is its normal range?

Respiratory component; 35-45 mm Hg

What does HCO3 assess in acid-base balance, and what is its normal range?

Metabolic component; 22-26 mm Hg

Name three ways the body regulates pH.

Generating acids or bases, buffering acids or bases, and eliminating acids or bases

Name the buffer systems

Proteins, Lungs, Kidneys

How do the lungs regulate pH?

By exhaling CO2 with water (H2O)

How do the kidneys regulate pH?

By excreting H+ and HCO3- in urine

What is the role of carbonic acid in acid-base balance?

Volatile acid that can be eliminated via CO2 gas

How does excess H+ in ECF affect K+ levels?

Excess H+ moves into body cells in exchange for K+, causing serum K+ to rise when pH falls.

What causes respiratory acid-base problems?

Alterations in PCO2 (increase or decrease)

What happens to pH and PCO2 in respiratory acidosis?

Decrease in pH, increase in PCO2 due to decreased ventilation

What happens to pH and PCO2 in respiratory alkalosis?

Increase in pH, decrease in PCO2 due to increased ventilation

What causes metabolic acid-base problems?

Alterations in HCO3 concentration due to addition or loss of nonvolatile acid or alkali to or from the ECF

What happens to pH and HCO3 in metabolic acidosis?

Decrease in pH and a decrease in HCO3

What happens to pH and HCO3 in metabolic alkalosis?

Increase in pH and an increase in HCO3

Explain the ROME method of acid-base analysis.

Respiratory Opposite (pH and pCO2), Metabolic Equal (pH and HCO3)

What are the main causes of respiratory acidosis?

Impaired alveolar ventilation leading to increased PCO2 and decreased pH (e.g., hypoventilation, COPD)

What are the main causes of respiratory alkalosis?

Hyperventilation leading to decreased PCO2 and elevated pH (e.g., anxiety, fever)

What are four general causes of metabolic acidosis?

Increased production of nonvolatile acids, decreased acid secretion by kidneys, excessive loss of bicarbonate, increase in Cl

What is the formula for calculating the anion gap, and what is the normal range?

(Na + K) – (HCO3 + Cl); Normal range 10-12 mEq

What are some causes of metabolic alkalosis?

Excess of HCO3, Loss of hydrogen ions, Gain in HCO3 ions, Loss of Cl ion

What is a primary or initiating event in acid-base imbalances?

The conditions or diseases that cause Metabolic and Respiratory Acidosis and Alkalosis

What is compensation in acid-base imbalances?

The body's attempt to correct the acid-base problem

How do the lungs compensate for acidosis?

Increasing respirations to eliminate more CO2

How do the lungs compensate for alkalosis?

Decreasing respirations to retain CO2

How do the kidneys compensate for metabolic acidosis?

Increasing hydrogen excretion and increased HCO3 retention

How do the kidneys compensate for alkalosis?

Decrease hydrogen ion excretion and decrease HCO3 reabsorption