Acid-Base Disturbances Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key concepts related to acid-base disturbances in physiology and pathology.

Acid

Donor of H+, pH < 7.

Base

Acceptor of H+, pH > 7.

Strong acid

An acid that dissociates completely in solution.

Weak acid

An acid that does not dissociate completely.

Buffer

A substance in solution that minimizes changes in pH when acid or base is added.

Buffer capacity

The ability of a buffer to resist changes in pH upon addition of an acid or base.

Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

A formula that relates the pH of a buffer solution to the concentration of its acid and conjugate base.

Acidaemia

A state in the blood with pH < 7.35.

Alkaemia

A state in the blood with pH > 7.45.

Metabolic acidosis

An abnormal process that increases metabolic acids in the blood, leading to decreased HCO3-.

Respiratory acidosis

A condition characterized by retention of pCO2, leading to decreased pH.

Anion gap

A calculation used to identify the cause of metabolic acidosis: [Na + K] - [Cl- + HCO3-].

Metabolic alkalosis

A disorder in which plasma HCO3- increases, leading to elevated pH.

Compensation

The physiological response to pH changes, through respiratory or renal mechanisms.

Buffering system

The system within the body, primarily bicarbonate, that helps maintain pH levels.