Acid-Base Imbalances Quiz

Conditions where the balance between acids and bases in the body is disrupted, often due to disease or inadequate compensatory mechanisms.

A condition where the body's pH falls below 7.35 due to increased acid or decreased bicarbonate.

A condition where the body's pH rises above 7.45 due to decreased acid or increased bicarbonate.

A condition where the body's pH falls below 7.35 due to increased carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid.

A condition where the body's pH rises above 7.45 due to decreased carbon dioxide, and thus decreased carbonic acid.

A type of metabolic acidosis caused by uncontrolled diabetes, where the body metabolizes fats for energy, producing excess acids.

The pressure exerted by dissolved carbon dioxide in the blood; a key indicator of respiratory function.

A crucial base in the body, an important part of buffering the blood against pH changes.

The respiratory system, through its control over carbon dioxide levels, plays a crucial role in regulating blood pH.

Extreme caloric restriction, like in eating disorders or acute alcoholism, forces the body to burn fats instead of glucose, creating acidic ketone bodies.

The kidneys, through their control of bicarbonate levels, are essential in managing blood pH.

These are classified as either metabolic or respiratory, depending on the primary cause of the pH change.

Damaged kidneys can't remove enough acid from the blood, leading to a buildup of hydrogen ions.

Poor blood flow and oxygen deprivation leads to cells producing energy without oxygen, creating lactic acid.

Common causes include diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, renal failure, and severe diarrhea.

During strenuous exercise, cells can't produce enough energy aerobically, leading to a buildup of acid in muscles.

Aspirin is acidic. Overdosing causes a buildup of acid in the body.

Certain diabetes medication can cause lactic acidosis, especially in people with kidney problems.

Common causes include excessive vomiting, hypokalemia, and excessive bicarbonate administration.

Some HIV medications damage cells, causing a significant production of lactic acid.

Common causes include acute respiratory conditions like pneumonia, opiate overdose, and chronic respiratory conditions like COPD.

These drugs cause the body to excrete less acid, leading to a build-up in the blood.

Losing bicarbonate-rich fluids through diarrhea can disrupt the body's acid-base balance.

Common causes include anxiety-induced hyperventilation, fever, and early salicylate intoxication.

Vomiting removes stomach acid, leading to a loss of hydrogen ions.

Loop diuretics can cause the body to lose excessive chloride ions, contributing to metabolic alkalosis.

These involve a combination of respiratory and metabolic imbalances, often with complex causes.

This condition presents with severe metabolic acidosis, respiratory acidosis, and hypoxemia, a prime example of mixed disorders.

Excessive use of sodium bicarbonate elevates bicarbonate levels in the blood, leading to alkalosis.

An increase in the rate and depth of breathing, often leading to respiratory alkalosis.

Narcotic overdose slows breathing, causing carbon dioxide buildup.

Common causes include anxiety, pain, stress, thyrotoxicosis, fever, and salicylate overdose.

The body's natural response to correct an acid-base imbalance. The lungs, kidneys, or both work together to restore the proper pH.

The lungs adjust their breathing rate and depth to help correct metabolic acid-base imbalances.

The kidneys adjust their bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion excretion to help correct respiratory acid-base imbalances.

The primary buffer system in the lungs. It converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate (HCO3-), helping to maintain the blood's pH.

The respiratory system increases ventilation (breathing faster) to expel more CO2, reducing carbonic acid (H2CO3) levels.

The respiratory system decreases ventilation (breathing slower) to retain more CO2, increasing carbonic acid (H2CO3) levels.

The kidneys increase bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion excretion to restore the proper balance.

The kidneys increase bicarbonate excretion and hydrogen ion retention to restore the balance.

A state where an acid-base imbalance has been completely corrected, and the pH has returned to the normal range.

A state where an acid-base imbalance has been partially corrected, but the pH is still outside the normal range.

Initially focus on the cardiovascular system due to the patient's signs of shock, including cool, clammy skin, thready pulse, and low blood pressure.

A weak, rapid pulse is a sign of poor blood circulation, indicating shock. The priority is to address this by stabilizing the patient's hemodynamics and preventing further complications.

The patient's confusion and disorientation likely stem from inadequate blood flow to the brain, which can be caused by shock, blood loss, or potential head injury.

The immediate priorities are identifying and treating the underlying cause of shock, ensuring adequate oxygenation and fluid resuscitation, monitoring vital signs closely, and assessing for any potential head injuries.

The physician will likely order blood tests (CBC, electrolytes, blood gases), imaging studies (chest x-ray, CT scan of the head), and potentially a urine analysis to assess the patient's overall condition and identify the source of bleeding.

A thready pulse, characterized by a weak and rapid pulse, signifies significantly reduced blood volume and pressure, indicating shock or a circulatory issue.

A makeshift tourniquet is a temporary measure for controlling severe bleeding, often improvised using materials found at hand.

A nonrebreather mask is a type of oxygen delivery device that delivers a high concentration of oxygen to a patient, typically used in emergencies.