Acidosis & alkalosis: Difference between revisions
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Here is a glossary of these terms, which is useful for understanding some of the [[blood buffer systems|blood buffer]] systems. There are basically four abnormalities with regards to the acid-base balance in blood. You should ask yourself three questions: | Here is a glossary of these terms, which is useful for understanding some of the [[blood buffer systems|blood buffer]] systems. There are basically four abnormalities with regards to the acid-base balance in blood. You should ask yourself three questions: | ||
# | #''Is the pH high or low?'' - low pH= '''acidosis'' and high pH = ''alkalosis'''. | ||
# | #''Is CO<sub>2</sub> abnormal?'' - if 'yes': | ||
**''Is this in keeping with the pH change?'' - i.e. when '''pH↑, CO<sub>2</sub>↓''' ''OR'' '''pH↓, CO<sub>2</sub>↑'''. These changes point to a '''respiratory''' acidosis/alkalosis. If the change is not there, then it is a ''compensatory'' change. | |||
#''Is the HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> abnormal?'' - if 'yes' | |||
**''Is this change in keeping with the pH change?'' - i.e. (opposite to CO<sub>2</sub> changes) when '''pH↑, HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>↑''' ''OR'' '''pH↓ HCO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>↓''' | |||
Revision as of 14:31, 21 September 2009
Here is a glossary of these terms, which is useful for understanding some of the blood buffer systems. There are basically four abnormalities with regards to the acid-base balance in blood. You should ask yourself three questions:
- Is the pH high or low? - low pH= acidosis and high pH = alkalosis.
- Is CO2 abnormal? - if 'yes':
- Is this in keeping with the pH change? - i.e. when pH↑, CO2↓ OR pH↓, CO2↑. These changes point to a respiratory acidosis/alkalosis. If the change is not there, then it is a compensatory change.
- Is the HCO3- abnormal? - if 'yes'
- Is this change in keeping with the pH change? - i.e. (opposite to CO2 changes) when pH↑, HCO3-↑ OR pH↓ HCO3-↓