Acid-Base

General pH and Bicarb rule

If both are going in the same direction, its metabolic

Acid or alkalosis pH

Under 7.35 is acidic

Above 7.45 is alkalosis

MAC kussamal’s rule

When kussamals are present, its metabolic acidosis

Increased pH s/s

(alkalosis)

Systems get excitable, except for potassium

Decreased pH s/s

(acidosis)

Systems shut down, except for potassium

Overventiling vs underventilating meaning

Over = alkalosis

Under = acidosis

What does the pt have if they have prolonged vomitting or suctioning?

Metabolic alkalosis

Reasoning: loosing so much acid makes you become basic

When to choose metabolic acidosis?

If its not related to the lungs or if the pt doesn’t have prolonged vommiting or suctioning

When you don’t know what the question is asking

Resp acidosis vs alkalosis for ventilators

Alkalosis = vent setting may be too high

Acidosis = vent setting may be too low

High-pressure alarms

Triggered by increase in resistance to airflow (machine having to push too hard to get air into lungs)

Caused by an obstruction

3 common obstructions and their slns

Kink: remove the kink

Water: empty the tube

Mucus secretion: Change position then suction

Low pressure alarm

Triggered by decrease in resistance to airflow (machine barely had to do any work to get air into lungs)

Two main disconnections for low pressure alarms and their slns

Main tubing disconnection: just reconnect it

Oxygen sensor tubing disconnection: just reconnect it