GCU PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Serum Osmolarity of Hypernatremia vs Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia in the presence of normal serum osmolality (285
to 295 mOsm/L) is referred to as pseudohyponatremia. Under
physiologic conditions, 93% of the total plasma volume is an
aqueous phase that contains the electrolytes, and the remaining
7% is a solid phase composed primarily of lipids and proteins.
Acidosis
excessive acidity of body fluids
pH below 7.35
Alkalosis
The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.
pH above 7.45
compensated respiratory acidosis
normal pH, high CO2, high HCO3
compensated metabolic acidosis
pH normal
PaCO2 < 35
HCO3 < 22
Normal pH level of blood
,7.35-7.45
- Acidotic: lower than 7.35
- Alkalotic: higher than 7.45
normal CO2 levels in body
35-45 mmHg
Normal HCO3 level (bicarbonate)
22-26 mmHg
uncompensated respiratory acidosis
-decreased pH=acidosis
-increased PaCO2 with low pH=acidosis with respiratory origin
-HCO3=normal, indicating that the acidosis is not metabolic in
origin and the body has not yet corrected the imbalance through
compensation
Uncompensated Metabolic Acidosis
low pH, normal PaCO2, low HCO3
compensated respiratory alkalosis
normal pH
low CO2
low HCO3
uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
high pH, low PaCO2, normal HCO3
compensated metabolic alkalosis
Normal pH, normal CO2, high HCO3
, uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
high pH, normal PaCO2, high HCO3
Alkalosis and Acidosis are result of calcium and potassium
imbalance
Anion gap
An anion gap blood test is a way to check the acid-base
balance (pH balance) of your blood. It tells you if your blood
is too acidic or not acidic enough. The test uses the results of
another blood test called an electrolyte panel.
Anion gaps in compensated respiratory acidosis
The normal anion gap is 12. Therefore, values greater than
12 define an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Respiratory
compensation is the physiologic mechanism to help normalize a
metabolic acidosis, however, compensation never completely
corrects an acidemia
Anion gaps in uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis occurs when respiratory
acidosis is present, with pH acidic (under 7.35) and PaCO₂
acidic (over 45) mmHg; but the metabolic system does not act to
correct it, marked by HCO₃ in the normal range (22 - 26
mEq/L)
Anion gaps in compensated metabolic acidosis
The normal anion gap is 12. Therefore, values greater than 12
define an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Respiratory
compensation is the physiologic mechanism to help normalize a
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Serum Osmolarity of Hypernatremia vs Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia in the presence of normal serum osmolality (285
to 295 mOsm/L) is referred to as pseudohyponatremia. Under
physiologic conditions, 93% of the total plasma volume is an
aqueous phase that contains the electrolytes, and the remaining
7% is a solid phase composed primarily of lipids and proteins.
Acidosis
excessive acidity of body fluids
pH below 7.35
Alkalosis
The buildup of excess base (lack of acids) in the body fluids.
pH above 7.45
compensated respiratory acidosis
normal pH, high CO2, high HCO3
compensated metabolic acidosis
pH normal
PaCO2 < 35
HCO3 < 22
Normal pH level of blood
,7.35-7.45
- Acidotic: lower than 7.35
- Alkalotic: higher than 7.45
normal CO2 levels in body
35-45 mmHg
Normal HCO3 level (bicarbonate)
22-26 mmHg
uncompensated respiratory acidosis
-decreased pH=acidosis
-increased PaCO2 with low pH=acidosis with respiratory origin
-HCO3=normal, indicating that the acidosis is not metabolic in
origin and the body has not yet corrected the imbalance through
compensation
Uncompensated Metabolic Acidosis
low pH, normal PaCO2, low HCO3
compensated respiratory alkalosis
normal pH
low CO2
low HCO3
uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
high pH, low PaCO2, normal HCO3
compensated metabolic alkalosis
Normal pH, normal CO2, high HCO3
, uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
high pH, normal PaCO2, high HCO3
Alkalosis and Acidosis are result of calcium and potassium
imbalance
Anion gap
An anion gap blood test is a way to check the acid-base
balance (pH balance) of your blood. It tells you if your blood
is too acidic or not acidic enough. The test uses the results of
another blood test called an electrolyte panel.
Anion gaps in compensated respiratory acidosis
The normal anion gap is 12. Therefore, values greater than
12 define an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Respiratory
compensation is the physiologic mechanism to help normalize a
metabolic acidosis, however, compensation never completely
corrects an acidemia
Anion gaps in uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis occurs when respiratory
acidosis is present, with pH acidic (under 7.35) and PaCO₂
acidic (over 45) mmHg; but the metabolic system does not act to
correct it, marked by HCO₃ in the normal range (22 - 26
mEq/L)
Anion gaps in compensated metabolic acidosis
The normal anion gap is 12. Therefore, values greater than 12
define an anion gap metabolic acidosis. Respiratory
compensation is the physiologic mechanism to help normalize a
