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Questions and Answers
What is a common cause of respiratory acidosis?
What is a common cause of respiratory acidosis?
Which condition is associated with metabolic acidosis?
Which condition is associated with metabolic acidosis?
How do the lungs compensate during metabolic alkalosis?
How do the lungs compensate during metabolic alkalosis?
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for acidosis?
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for acidosis?
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What physiological change occurs during respiratory alkalosis?
What physiological change occurs during respiratory alkalosis?
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Which factor can lead to respiratory alkalosis?
Which factor can lead to respiratory alkalosis?
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What is the normal pH range that the body aims to maintain?
What is the normal pH range that the body aims to maintain?
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What mechanism primarily corrects metabolic acidosis in the body?
What mechanism primarily corrects metabolic acidosis in the body?
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Which factor contributes to metabolic alkalosis?
Which factor contributes to metabolic alkalosis?
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Which condition is likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
Which condition is likely to cause respiratory acidosis?
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What occurs when CO₂ retention increases in respiratory acidosis?
What occurs when CO₂ retention increases in respiratory acidosis?
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Which type of alkalosis is caused by excessive loss of CO₂?
Which type of alkalosis is caused by excessive loss of CO₂?
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What compensatory mechanism occurs in the kidneys during respiratory acidosis?
What compensatory mechanism occurs in the kidneys during respiratory acidosis?
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What is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis?
What is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis?
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How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
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What characterizes metabolic acidosis?
What characterizes metabolic acidosis?
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Study Notes
Acid-Base Regulation
- Acid-base regulation maintains blood pH (7.35-7.45) through chemical buffers, respiratory control, and renal function.
- Impairment of these systems can lead to acid-base imbalances, categorized as acidosis (pH < 7.35) or alkalosis (pH > 7.45).
Most Likely Causes of Imbalance
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Acidosis (pH < 7.35):
- Respiratory Acidosis: Caused by conditions impairing CO2 exhalation (e.g., hypoventilation, COPD).
- Metabolic Acidosis: Caused by increased acid production (diabetic ketoacidosis) or bicarbonate loss (diarrhea).
-
Alkalosis (pH > 7.45):
- Respiratory Alkalosis: Caused by hyperventilation (e.g., anxiety, panic attacks).
- Metabolic Alkalosis: Caused by hydrogen ion loss (e.g., vomiting) or increased bicarbonate (e.g., antacid overuse).
Respiratory Acidosis Pathophysiology
- Cause: Hypoventilation leads to CO2 retention.
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Pathophysiology:
- Increased CO2 (PaCO2 > 45 mmHg) forms more carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
- Increased H₂CO₃ results in increased H⁺ ions, thus decreasing pH (acidosis).
- Compensation: Kidneys retain bicarbonate (HCO3¯) to buffer excess H⁺.
Respiratory Alkalosis Pathophysiology
- Cause: Hyperventilation leads to excessive CO2 loss.
-
Pathophysiology:
- Decreased CO2 (PaCO2 < 35 mmHg) reduces H₂CO₃ formation.
- Reduced H₂CO₃ results in fewer H⁺ ions, increasing pH (alkalosis).
- Compensation: Kidneys excrete bicarbonate (HCO3¯) to decrease pH.
Metabolic Acidosis Pathophysiology
- Cause: Accumulation of non-volatile acids (e.g., lactic acid) or bicarbonate loss (e.g., diarrhea).
- Pathophysiology: Increased acid or bicarbonate loss directly increases H⁺ ion concentration, decreasing pH.
- Compensation: Lungs increase respiratory rate (hyperventilation) to "blow off" CO2, which decreases H₂CO₃.
Metabolic Alkalosis Pathophysiology
- Cause: Loss of hydrogen ions (e.g., vomiting) or excess bicarbonate (e.g., antacids).
- Pathophysiology: Increased bicarbonate or loss of hydrogen ions increases pH.
- Compensation: Lungs decrease respiratory rate (hypoventilation) to retain CO2, which increases H₂CO₃.
Disease Transmission
- Acid-base imbalances are not infectious or communicable.
Risk Factors
- Acidosis: Chronic lung disease (COPD), neurological impairment, drug overdose, obesity, diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, renal failure, and diarrhea.
- Alkalosis: Anxiety, pain, vomiting, nasogastric suction, diuretic use, and excessive antacid use.
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Description
Test your understanding of acid-base regulation in the human body. This quiz covers the physiological mechanisms maintaining blood pH, defining acidosis and alkalosis, their causes, and specific pathophysiological conditions. Challenge yourself with questions on respiratory and metabolic imbalances.
