Acid-Base Balance Lecture Notes

This array of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts related to Acid-Base Balance in physiology, including definitions of terms, physiological conditions, and the clinical relevance of these concepts.

Acid-Base Balance

The physiological state in which the body's pH levels are maintained in a normal range, typically between 7.35 and 7.45.

pH Scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, with values ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline), and 7 being neutral.

Buffers

Substances that help stabilize pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen ions (H+) as needed.

Metabolic Acidosis

A condition characterized by excess nonvolatile acids or bicarbonate deficiency, leading to a decrease in blood pH.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A state in which there is a loss of CO2 and a resultant increase in blood pH due to hyperventilation.

Compensation

The process by which the body attempts to correct acid-base imbalances to return the pH to the normal range.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

A test that measures pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the blood, reflecting overall acid-base balance.

Hyperventilation

Rapid breathing that can lead to respiratory alkalosis by decreasing CO2 levels in the blood.

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

A key buffer in the blood that helps maintain acid-base balance by regulating pH and neutralizing acids.

Anion Gap

A calculation used to help determine the cause of metabolic acidosis by comparing major electrolytes.

Acid-Base Balance

The physiological state in which the body's pH levels are maintained in a normal range, typically between 7.35 and 7.45.

pH Scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, with values ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline), and 7 being neutral.

Buffers

Substances that help stabilize pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen ions (H+) as needed.

Metabolic Acidosis

A condition characterized by excess nonvolatile acids or bicarbonate deficiency, leading to a decrease in blood pH.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A state in which there is a loss of CO2 and a resultant increase in blood pH due to hyperventilation.

Compensation

The process by which the body attempts to correct acid-base imbalances to return the pH to the normal range.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

A test that measures pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the blood, reflecting overall acid-base balance.

Hyperventilation

Rapid breathing that can lead to respiratory alkalosis by decreasing CO2 levels in the blood.

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

A key buffer in the blood that helps maintain acid-base balance by regulating pH and neutralizing acids.

Anion Gap

A calculation used to help determine the cause of metabolic acidosis by comparing major electrolytes.

Metabolic Alkalosis

A condition characterized by an excess of bicarbonate (HCO3-) or loss of hydrogen ions (H+), leading to an increase in blood pH.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition characterized by hypoventilation, leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and a decrease in blood pH.

Kidney's Role in Acid-Base Balance

The kidneys regulate acid-base balance by reabsorbing bicarbonate, excreting hydrogen ions, and producing new bicarbonate, primarily affecting the metabolic component.

Lungs' Role in Acid-Base Balance

The lungs regulate acid-base balance by controlling the exhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2), which directly affects the carbonic acid concentration in the blood and thus the respiratory component.

Acidemia

The medical term for a state in which the arterial blood pH is below the normal range, typically below 7.35.

Alkalemia

The medical term for a state in which the arterial blood pH is above the normal range, typically above 7.45.

The physiological state in which the body's pH levels are maintained in a normal range, typically between 7.35 and 7.45, is called __.

Acid-Base Balance

Which of the following accurately describes the pH scale parameters?

A) Values range from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline), with 7 being neutral.
B) Values range from 0 (alkaline) to 14 (acidic), with 7 being neutral.
C) Values range from 1 to 10, with 5 being neutral.
D) Values range from 1 to 14, exclusively for blood measurements.

__ are substances that help stabilize pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen ions (H+) as needed.

Buffers

Metabolic Acidosis is characterized by:

A) An excess of bicarbonate (HCO3-) leading to an increase in blood pH.
B) A loss of CO2 due to hyperventilation, increasing blood pH.
C) Excess nonvolatile acids or bicarbonate deficiency, leading to a decrease in blood pH.
D) Hypoventilation, leading to CO2 accumulation and decreased blood pH.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A state in which there is a loss of CO2 and a resultant increase in blood pH due to hyperventilation.

The process by which the body attempts to correct acid-base imbalances to return the pH to the normal range is called:

A) Decompensation
B) Compensation
C) Pathophysiology
D) Homeostasis

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

A test that measures pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the blood, reflecting overall acid-base balance.

__ is rapid breathing that can lead to respiratory alkalosis by decreasing CO2 levels in the blood.

Hyperventilation

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

A key buffer in the blood that helps maintain acid-base balance by regulating pH and neutralizing acids.

Anion Gap

A calculation used to help determine the cause of metabolic acidosis by comparing major electrolytes.

Metabolic Alkalosis

A condition characterized by an excess of bicarbonate (HCO3-) or loss of hydrogen ions (H+), leading to an increase in blood pH.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition characterized by hypoventilation, leading to an accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and a decrease in blood pH.

Kidney's Role in Acid-Base Balance

The kidneys regulate acid-base balance by reabsorbing bicarbonate, excreting hydrogen ions, and producing new bicarbonate, primarily affecting the metabolic component.

Lungs' Role in Acid-Base Balance

The lungs regulate acid-base balance by controlling the exhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2), which directly affects the carbonic acid concentration in the blood and thus the respiratory component.

Acidemia

The medical term for a state in which the arterial blood pH is below the normal range, typically below 7.35.

Alkalemia

The medical term for a state in which the arterial blood pH is above the normal range, typically above 7.45.