Understanding Acid-Base Imbalance Conditions

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Acid-base Imbalance
Kristine McClary
Kaplan University

There are four conditions that are associated with acid-base imbalance. Disorders that result from changes in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) in systemic arterial blood are respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis (Tortora, 2014). Disorders that results from bicarbonate (HCO3) concentration are metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis. When the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces, a condition called respiratory acidosis occur. Respiratory acidosis has high level of PCO2 above 45mmHg and a blood level that drop below a pH of 7.35. Normally when you breathe, you inhale oxygen and exhale CO2. Excess CO2 in your …show more content…

This occurs when the systemic arterial blood is above 26mEq/liter and the blood pH is above 7.45 (Tortora, 2014). The cause of metabolic alkalosis is too much bicarbonate in the blood, prolonged vomiting, and extreme lack of potassium. When the regular compensatory mechanisms are not working, respiratory compensation through hypoventilation help bring back pH level to normal leaving HCO3- high. Lung assist in compensatory mechanism. Treating metabolic alkalosis consist of correcting Cl-, K+, and other electrolyte deficiencies by providing fluid solutions. Older age compromises the acid-base balance in metabolic alkalosis due to inadequate fluid intake of more water than Na+ which occur through vomiting, feces, or urine. These changes are associated with the kidney.

References
Healthline (2015). Respiratory Acidosis. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/respiratory-acidosis#Overview1
Tortora, G. (2014). Principles of Anatomy & Physiology 14 edition, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2014). Respiratory acidosis. Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000092.htm
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2014). Respiratory alkalosis. Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000111.htm O’Connell, K. (2015). Respiratory Alkalosis. Retrieved from

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