Running head: ACID-BASE CASE STUDY 1
Acid-Base Case Study
Grand Canyon University
Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurse Educators
NUR-641E
Resource 1: Acid Base Case Study
, Cells within the human body can only function properly within a narrow range of
“normal” when referring to pH, temperature, nutrients, and ion concentrations. Nevertheless, the
human body must survive in various environments where conditions can vary greatly from day to
day. The human body has an impeccable ability to correct itself and compensate within its many
systems in order to maintain balance or homeostasis. For these reasons, the body has systems for
maintaining homeostasis, despite drastic changes in its conditions. When considering physiology
and medicine, homeostasis is one of the most important concepts we think about today. The
overwhelming majority of the body’s functions are designed to maintain homeostasis. When
there is an inability to maintain homeostasis, it can lead to disease and at times, death.
Classify and Explain the Acid-Base Imbalance
We don’t know what this patient’s electrolyte levels are; however, with the arterial blood
gas we are able to determine that this individual is in acute metabolic alkalosis, with
superimposed respiratory alkalosis. This condition is typically characterized by an elevated
plasma bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration that ultimately results in an increased arterial
hydrogen ion concentration, or pH (McCance et al., 2010).
Factors and Pathophysiology
Given the limited information in this case study, one can assume the major causative
factor was the patient’s frequents bouts of vomiting. The patient’s recurrent emesis over several
days lead to a loss of pH from her gastrointestinal tract, which ultimately resulted in increased
levels of bicarbonate (Inkling, 2013). Additionally, this state of acid-base imbalance could have
also been caused by excessive consumption of antacids, causing elevated levels of sodium
bicarbonate (Janusek, 1990). Unfortunately, the renal system lacks the ability to compensate
appropriately when the imbalance is largely due to hyperemesis (McCance et al., 2010).
Acid-Base Case Study
Grand Canyon University
Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nurse Educators
NUR-641E
Resource 1: Acid Base Case Study
, Cells within the human body can only function properly within a narrow range of
“normal” when referring to pH, temperature, nutrients, and ion concentrations. Nevertheless, the
human body must survive in various environments where conditions can vary greatly from day to
day. The human body has an impeccable ability to correct itself and compensate within its many
systems in order to maintain balance or homeostasis. For these reasons, the body has systems for
maintaining homeostasis, despite drastic changes in its conditions. When considering physiology
and medicine, homeostasis is one of the most important concepts we think about today. The
overwhelming majority of the body’s functions are designed to maintain homeostasis. When
there is an inability to maintain homeostasis, it can lead to disease and at times, death.
Classify and Explain the Acid-Base Imbalance
We don’t know what this patient’s electrolyte levels are; however, with the arterial blood
gas we are able to determine that this individual is in acute metabolic alkalosis, with
superimposed respiratory alkalosis. This condition is typically characterized by an elevated
plasma bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration that ultimately results in an increased arterial
hydrogen ion concentration, or pH (McCance et al., 2010).
Factors and Pathophysiology
Given the limited information in this case study, one can assume the major causative
factor was the patient’s frequents bouts of vomiting. The patient’s recurrent emesis over several
days lead to a loss of pH from her gastrointestinal tract, which ultimately resulted in increased
levels of bicarbonate (Inkling, 2013). Additionally, this state of acid-base imbalance could have
also been caused by excessive consumption of antacids, causing elevated levels of sodium
bicarbonate (Janusek, 1990). Unfortunately, the renal system lacks the ability to compensate
appropriately when the imbalance is largely due to hyperemesis (McCance et al., 2010).
