What causes metabolic acidosis? - ANSWER Kidney failure - Kidneys pee out acids, so if
they aren't working, the body will retain acids.
Diarrhea - Bases come out your butt, so that leaves the bases in the toilet & acids are left in
your body
DKA - The blood becomes acidotic due to the presence of ketones in the blood, which are
acids
What is the compensation for metabolic acidosis? - ANSWER Hyperventilation - The lungs
want to breathe faster to blow off more CO2 (acid) to try and balance out the acidic state
What causes metabolic alkalosis? - ANSWER Diuresis - Kidneys pee out acids, so if they
are diuresing the acids are in the toilet & bases are left in the body
Vomiting - We throw up acids, so if we're puking - acids are in the toilet and bases are left in
the body
Excess Ingestion of Antacids - Lots of patients with acid reflux, ingest A LOT of tums/antacids
which are bases
What is the compensation for metabolic alkalosis? - ANSWER Hypoventilation - The lungs
want to breathe slower to retain more CO2(acid) to try and balance out the alkalotic state
What is the cause of acute respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Hypoventilation caused by
drug overdose, respiratory arrest, CNS depression
What is the cause of chronic respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Chronic Obstructive Pulmo-
nary Disease - CO2 cannot be expelled appropriately, so it is retained
1
, What is the compensation for respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Diuresis - the kidneys are
peeing more to expel the extra acids retained by the lungs
What is the cause of respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Hyperventilation - lungs are breath-
ing too fast and blowing off too much CO2 (acid), so now the acid is in the air and the bases
are left in the body
What is the compensation for respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Oliguria (Low Urine Out-
put) - lungs are blowing off too much acid, so the kidneys are retaining urine to retain more
acids to balance out the alkalotic state
Respiratory Acidosis pH, CO2 range - ANSWER pH < 7.35
CO2 > 45
Respiratory Alkalosis pH, CO2 range - ANSWER pH > 7.45
CO2 < 35
Symptoms/CM of respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Hypoventilation
headaches
lethargy
confusion
weakness
coma -> death
Symptoms/CM of respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Hyperventilation
restless
anxious
paresthesia
twitching
2
they aren't working, the body will retain acids.
Diarrhea - Bases come out your butt, so that leaves the bases in the toilet & acids are left in
your body
DKA - The blood becomes acidotic due to the presence of ketones in the blood, which are
acids
What is the compensation for metabolic acidosis? - ANSWER Hyperventilation - The lungs
want to breathe faster to blow off more CO2 (acid) to try and balance out the acidic state
What causes metabolic alkalosis? - ANSWER Diuresis - Kidneys pee out acids, so if they
are diuresing the acids are in the toilet & bases are left in the body
Vomiting - We throw up acids, so if we're puking - acids are in the toilet and bases are left in
the body
Excess Ingestion of Antacids - Lots of patients with acid reflux, ingest A LOT of tums/antacids
which are bases
What is the compensation for metabolic alkalosis? - ANSWER Hypoventilation - The lungs
want to breathe slower to retain more CO2(acid) to try and balance out the alkalotic state
What is the cause of acute respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Hypoventilation caused by
drug overdose, respiratory arrest, CNS depression
What is the cause of chronic respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Chronic Obstructive Pulmo-
nary Disease - CO2 cannot be expelled appropriately, so it is retained
1
, What is the compensation for respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Diuresis - the kidneys are
peeing more to expel the extra acids retained by the lungs
What is the cause of respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Hyperventilation - lungs are breath-
ing too fast and blowing off too much CO2 (acid), so now the acid is in the air and the bases
are left in the body
What is the compensation for respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Oliguria (Low Urine Out-
put) - lungs are blowing off too much acid, so the kidneys are retaining urine to retain more
acids to balance out the alkalotic state
Respiratory Acidosis pH, CO2 range - ANSWER pH < 7.35
CO2 > 45
Respiratory Alkalosis pH, CO2 range - ANSWER pH > 7.45
CO2 < 35
Symptoms/CM of respiratory acidosis? - ANSWER Hypoventilation
headaches
lethargy
confusion
weakness
coma -> death
Symptoms/CM of respiratory alkalosis? - ANSWER Hyperventilation
restless
anxious
paresthesia
twitching
2
