Acid-Base

Question 1

What does the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation tell us?

Answer 1

A solution’s pH is a function of the ratio of dissociated anion to non-dissociated acid.

Question 2

What are the 2 most important buffering systems in the blood?

Answer 2

1. Bicarb
2. Hemoglobin

Question 3

Why is acidosis often accompanied by hyperkalemia?

Answer 3

Intracellular fluid buffering: H+ is transported into cells and K+ transported out.

Opposite seen in alkalosis and hypokalemia.

Answer 4

1. pH - acidosis or alkalosis
2. PaCO2 (RO?)
3. HCO3 (ME?)
4. Check compensation
5. Check for mixed

Question 5

Compensation for metabolic disorders happens how fast?

Answer 5

Rapidly - over several minutes.
Due to changes in minute ventilation.

Question 6

Compensation for respiratory disorders moves how fast?

Answer 6

Slowly - over several days.
H+ excretion in urine changes.

Question 7

What 2 conditions would indicate a mixed disorder?

Answer 7

1. PaCO2 or HCO3 are abnormal but expected compensation did not occur.
2. PaCO2 and HCO3 are both shifted to acidosis or alkalosis.

Question 8

Acidosis has what effect on the pulmonary vasculature?

Answer 8

Increased pulmonary vascular resistance.

Question 9

A left shift on the OxyHgb curve indicates what type of acid-base disorder?

Answer 9

Alkalosis