Childbearing / Child Caring Family
What is the definition of acid-base balance? - ANSWER Acid-base balance is the
process of regulating the pH, bicarbonate concentration, and partial pressure of
carbon dioxide of body fluids.
-homeostatis
What are the acid-base balancing processes? - ANSWER Acid Production
Acid Buffering
Acid Excretion
What is the normal pH? - ANSWER 7.35-7.45
What is bicarbonate? - ANSWER The main base in the body
What is the partial pressure in body fluids? - ANSWER CO2
What body part regulates bicarbonate? - ANSWER Kidneys
What body part regulates CO2? - ANSWER Lungs
What is the scope of acid-base balance? - ANSWER Acidotic ph<7.35
Optimal ph 7.35-7.45 PaCO2, HCO3 is normal
Alkalotic ph>7.45
What is acid production? - ANSWER generation of acid through cellular metabolism
What is cellular metabolism? - ANSWER all of the chemical reactions in a cell
What is acid buffering? - ANSWER process to control changes in pH by neutralizing
acids with buffers
What is acid excretion? - ANSWER Removal of acid from the body
-think excretion-removal
What are ways the body removes acid? - ANSWER Urine or breathing out
What is acid-base balance? - ANSWER -Expected in all well individuals
-Requires normal physiological functioning
-Indication of homeostasis
Ex: people with COPD
What is acid-base imbalance? - ANSWER Develops as a complication of another
underlying condition
, Never considered "normal" but may be "expected" if a chronic condition (ex.
compensation) is present
Ex: people with metabolic acidosis (DKA)
How is acid produced? - ANSWER Cellular metabolism
How does the body maintain optimal acid-base balance? - ANSWER -One cannot
overcome the other, so acid excretion needs to keep up with acid production.
-Buffers cannot be overwhelmed.
-Lungs and kidneys need to help each other out.
What is acidosis? - ANSWER pH below 7.35
What causes acidosis? - ANSWER Respiratory acidosis (too much CO2) - any
reason they are holding in CO2
-too much acid or loss of too much base
-COPD
-Drug overdose
-Asthma
Or
Metabolic acidosis (too much bicarbonate)
-losing too much H+ retention or bicarbonate
-DKA (largely H+ retention)
-diarrhea (largely HCO3 retention)
What is alkalosis? - ANSWER pH above 7.45
What causes alkalosis? - ANSWER Respiratory Alkalosis
Too much base, loss of too much acid
-CO2 loss excess
-Hyperventilation
-Anxiety
-Brain injuries
Or
Metabolic Alkalosis
-too much HCO3 or loss of too much H+
-vomiting
-NG suctioning (too aggressive)
-excessive tums use or baking soda or antifreeze
What are symptoms of respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER muscle weakness,
unconsciousness, headache, drowsiness, palpitations, dizziness, ventricular
fibrillation
What are symptoms of respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Deep rapid ventilation,
hypokalemia, nausea and vomit, tachycardia, lethargy/confusion, numbness and
tingling, low or normal BP, light headed-ness, raised PH level, Lowered PC02
-Kidneys will hold on to the H+ and excrete the HCO3