PATHO Ch 8 Practice Acid and Base

Which of the following is not a primary buffer system of the body?

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Which measurement assesses the difference between measured cations (sodium and potassium) and anions (chloride and bicarbonate) in the blood?

anion gap

Which measurement helps to assess specific types of acid-base imbalances?

anion gap

As Carl presented with Kussmaul's respirations and blood pH levels of 7.30, additional laboratory results included examination of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions. These ions may be used to determine_____________.

anion gap The anion gap is a test often used to evaluate acid-base disorders. It is determined by comparing measured cations with measured anion levels. In certain acid-base disturbances, the anion gap may elevate. In other acid-base imbalances, the anion gap will remain normal.

As Jamila's body attempts to compensate for acid-base imbalances, the buffering system most utilized by the organs involved in compensation is the __________.

carbonic-acid bicarbonate The body has three primary buffer systems: protein, phosphate, and carbonic-acid bicarbonate. Although all three systems are important, the organs involved in compensation, the lungs and kidneys, primarily use the carbonic acid-bicarbonate system for compensate.

As Jamila presents with a blood pH of 7.28 and arterial CO2 levels are 54 mm Hg, her body may attempt to correct the pH imbalance. Correction of acid-base imbalances by the body is known as ____________.

compensation The blood pH must be kept in a narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45. When pH deviates from this range, the body will attempt to correct this imbalance through a process known as compensation.

Carl presented with Kussmaul's respirations, while his blood pH is 7.30 and PCO2 levels are 28 mm Hg. Kussmaul's respirations likely indicate a change in lung ventilation reflecting _______________.

hyperventilation Carl is likely hyperventilating to compensate for the low blood pH. The hyperventilation would reduce Carl's carbon dioxide below normal. If Carl were hypoventilating, carbon dioxide levels would increase, lowering pH further.

Which process compensates for acidosis?

lungs increase ventilation

Carl has type 1 diabetes and has arrived in the emergency room with tachycardia, Kussmaul's respirations, and a fruity acetone smell to his breath. His blood pH measures 7.30 with arterial PCO2 levels of 28 mm Hg.Carl's symptoms, lab findings and history point to ______________________.

metabolic acidosis Because the blood pH is acidic with lower-than-normal CO2 levels, the condition is an metabolic acidosis. A fruity, acetone smell to the breath likely indicates the presence of ketones. People with type I diabetes may form ketones in certain situations. Ketones are acidic, leading to Carl's state of metabolic acidosis.

Meryl's arterial blood gases show elevated pH and lower than normal carbon dioxide. The arterial blood gas value that could be examined to indicate status of base in the blood is ______________.

Bicarbonate Arterial blood gases examine blood pH, PaO2, PaCO2, bicarbonate, and SaO2 may be included. Within these factors, bicarbonate represents a basic component in the blood.

Ava is a 4-year-old girl, who has been experiencing severe vomiting for the past three days. Vital signs reveal a slightly elevated heart rate with slow respirations. Her pH is elevated as well, with higher-than-normal CO2values and a normal anion gap. Ava's symptoms, lab findings, and history point to ______________________.

metabolic alkalosis Elevated blood pH with higher-than-normal CO2 indicates metabolic alkalosis is occurring. Severe vomiting can cause alkalosis through loss of hydrogen chloric acid with stomach contents. Electrolyte imbalances due to vomiting can also result in the kidneys reabsorbing fewer hydrogen ions. In this case, respirations are lower than normal resulting in elevated CO2 levels, as an attempt to balance the alkalosis. As these causes are not respiratory in nature, the patient has metabolic acidosis.

An older woman appears in the clinic struggling to catch her breath. She was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease two years prior. Arterial blood gases reveal lower than normal pH and elevated carbon dioxide. What acid-base imbalance does she have?

respiratory acidosis

Jamila presents with rapid respirations, cyanosis, and tachycardia. She recently had an upper respiratory infection and was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) 5 years ago. Her blood pH is 7.28 and arterial CO2 levels are 54 mm Hg Jamila's symptoms, lab findings and history point to ______________________.

respiratory acidosis

Meryl, a 72-year-old woman, presents with hyperventilation due to severe anxiety. Respirations are shallow and very rapid. Speaking is difficult due to an elevated respiratory rate. Her arterial blood gases reveal a pH of 7.48 and CO2 levels of 30 mm Hg.Meryl's symptoms, lab findings, and history point to ______________________.

respiratory alkalosis Because the blood gases reveal an elevated pH with a lower-than-normal CO2 level, respiratory alkalosis is present. The fact that Meryl is hyperventilating, which reduces carbon dioxide levels and elevates pH, indicates the acid-base disturbance is respiratory in nature.