Acid-Base Balances & Blood Pressure (Ch 25, 16)

What does pH measure?

The degree of acidity or alkalinity

What is the normal adult blood pH range?

7.35 to 7.45

Why is pH important in the body?

Cells and organs need a stable environment to function properly

Low pH = the blood/solution is more _________:

Acidic

High pH = the blood/solution is more __________:

Alkaline

Low pH = _________ hydrogen ions:

More

High pH = _________ hydrogen ions:

Less

What pH range indicates acidosis?

A pH below 7.35

What pH range indicates alkalosis?

A pH above 7.45

Why does the body constantly regulate blood pH?

To keep blood pH within its normal range

Changes in pH can affect how _______, ________, and ________ function:

Enzymes, cells, and organs

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the blood becomes too _________:

Acidic

“Metabolic” = _________:

Bicarbonate

What does bicarbonate do?

Helps neutralize acid and keep the blood’s pH from dropping too low

Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is a _________ in acid:

Increase

Metabolic acidosis can also occur when there is a ________ in bicarbonate:

Decrease

Metabolic acidosis can also be a combination of both, in which acid ________ while bicarbonate ________:

Increases, decreases

Metabolic acidosis = _________ pH:

Decreased

Respiratory acidosis occurs when the blood becomes too __________:

Acidic

“Respiratory” = ______________:

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is apart of your…?

Blood

The _______ control how much carbon dioxide stays in the blood:

Lungs

Carbon dioxide can react with ______ in the blood to form _________:

Water, carbonic acid

_____________ + _____________ = Carbonic acid

Carbon dioxide, water

More carbonic acid in the blood = _______ pH

Lower

Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is a _________ in carbon dioxide:

Increase

Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is a _________ in carbonic acid:

Increase

The more carbon dioxide in the blood, the more…

Carbonic acid is formed

Respiratory acidosis = _________ pH:

Decreased

What does respiratory acidosis mean in terms of breathing?

The person is not breathing enough

Why does carbon dioxide build up during respiratory acidosis?

The lungs are not removing enough carbon dioxide

What happens when breathing is too slow or shallow?

More carbon dioxide builds up in the blood

What happens when carbon dioxide builds up in the blood?

More carbonic acid is formed

What happens when more carbonic acid forms?

There is too much acid in the blood

Respiratory Acidosis:

_____ breathing > _____ retained > more _______ > _______pH

Decreased, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, lower

What is impaired gas exchange?

A condition in which the lungs cannot properly exchange gases

What happens to carbon dioxide during impaired gas exchange?

It stays in the blood instead of being breathed out

What is inadequate neuromuscular function?

The nerves or muscles needed for breathing are weak or not working properly

How does inadequate neuromuscular function affect breathing?

The person may not breathe deeply enough to remove sufficient carbon dioxide

What does the brainstem control in relation to breathing?

The brainstem controls breathing rate and depth

What happens if respiratory control in the brainstem is impaired?

The brainstem may not send the correct signals to maintain adequate breathing

Metabolic alkalosis occurs when the blood is too ____________:

Alkaline

Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is a __________ in bicarbonate:

Increase

Metabolic alkalosis can also occur when there is a __________ in acid:

Decrease

Metabolic alkalosis can also be a combination of both, in which acid _________ while bicarbonate ____________:

Decreases, increases

Metabolic alkalosis = ___________ pH:

Increased

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the blood becomes too __________:

Alkaline

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is a _______ in carbon dioxide:

Decrease

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is a _______ in carbonic acid:

Decrease

Respiratory alkalosis = __________ pH:

Increased

What causes respiratory alkalosis?

Hyperventilation

What is hyperventilation?

Breathing excessively, rapidly, and deeply

During hyperventilation, too much ________ leaves through exhalation:

Carbon dioxide

Respiratory Alkalosis:

_____ breathing > too much _____ exhaled > less _______ > _______pH

Increased, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, increased

Respiratory conditions move in the ________ direction:

Same

Metabolic conditions move in the ________ direction:

Opposite

What is blood pressure regulation?

The body’s constant process of monitoring blood pressure and making adjustments to keep it within a normal range

What are the two main mechanisms of blood pressure regulation?

Short-term regulation and long-term regulation

What is short-term blood pressure regulation?

The rapid adjustment of blood pressure

How quickly does short-term blood pressure regulation occur?

Usually within seconds to minutes

What system is mainly responsible for short-term blood pressure regulation?

The nervous system

How does the nervous system regulate blood pressure in the short term?

The nervous system detects changes in blood pressure and quickly changes heart rate, heart contraction, and blood vessel diameter

If you suddenly stand up, your blood pressure can briefly drop. Your nervous system quickly increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels to bring it back up.

This is an example of…

Short-term regulation

What is long-term blood pressure regulation?

The slower control of blood pressure

How quickly does long-term blood pressure regulation occur?

Over hours to days

What systems are involved in long-term blood pressure regulation?

The nervous system, hormones, and kidneys

What major system is involved in long-term blood pressure regulation?

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

What causes RAAS to become activated?

When the body senses that blood pressure or blood flow to the kidneys is too low

What do the kidneys release when blood pressure or blood flow to the kidneys is too low?

Renin

What does the release of renin lead to the formation of?

Angiotensin I

What does angiotensin I get converted into?

Angiotensin II

What is the major active hormone that raises blood pressure?

Angiotensin II

How does angiotensin II raise blood pressure?

By causing vasoconstriction

What does angiotensin II stimulate the release of?

Aldosterone

What does aldosterone do?

Helps the kidneys retain sodium and water

How does sodium retention affect blood volume?

It increases blood volume

How does increased blood volume affect blood pressure?

It causes increased blood pressure

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure

What are the two main types of hypertension?

Primary hypertension and secondary hypertension

Does primary hypertension have an identifiable cause?

No

How does primary hypertension develop?

From a combination of risk factors

Things like genetics, age, obesity, high-sodium diet, physical inactivity, and stress are all risk factors that can cause….

Primary hypertension

What type of hypertension is most common?

Primary

What is the goal when managing primary hypertension?

To identify it early and treat it before it causes organ damage

How is primary hypertension treated?

By identifying and reducing risk factors and using medications if needed

What is secondary hypertension?

High blood pressure caused by a specific identifiable condition or pathology

What usually causes secondary hypertension?

Another disease or condition affecting the body

Kidney disease or certain medications are things that can cause….

Secondary hypertension

How is secondary hypertension treated?

By treating the underlying cause

What is hypotension?

Low blood pressure

What is orthostatic hypotension?

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person changes position, especially when going from lying or sitting to standing

What happens to systolic blood pressure with orthostatic hypotension?

It decreases by less than 20 mm Hg

What happens to diastolic blood pressure with orthostatic hypotension?

It decreases by 10 mm Hg.

How can heart rate change with orthostatic hypotension?

Heart rate may increase by 20 to 30 beats per minute

Not enough blood/fluid in the circulation could be a cause of…

Orthostatic hypotension

What normally prevents blood pressure from dropping significantly when a person stands?

Baroreceptors and the nervous system

Abnormal baroreceptor responses in which they do not respond properly when BP changes can be a cause of….

Orthostatic hypotension

Because less blood may temporarily reach the brain, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, feeling faint, and syncope (fainting) are all symptoms of…

Orthostatic hypotension

What happens in orthostatic hypotension?

The body's response to standing is not sufficient, so blood pressure drops

What happens to blood pressure when a person stands up with orthostatic hypotension?

Blood pressure can drop when a person stands up because gravity causes blood to move toward the legs