Acid-base balance is essential for normal cell function. Acidosis occurs when blood has too much acid or too little base, lowering pH, while alkalosis occurs when blood has too much base or too little acid, raising pH. Acid-base balance is regulated by buffers, respiration, and the kidneys. Disorders occur when these mechanisms are disrupted, causing metabolic or respiratory acidosis/alkalosis that can impact cells, enzymes, and potassium levels.

1. Dr.Ramesh Ramasamy
Prof & Head
Dept of biochemistry

2. 2
ACID-BASE BALANCE

3. Why should you know ?

6. What should you know ?

7. 1. Basic concepts
2. What is acidosis and alkalosis?
3. Different causes for alkalosis and acidosis.
4. How to diagnose acid base disorders based on
ABG analysis?

8. 1.Basic concepts

9. ACIDS
• Acids can be defined as a proton (H+)
donor.
• Hydrogen containing substances which
dissociate in solution to release H+

10. 10
ACIDS
Many other substance (carbohydrates) also
contain hydrogen but they are not classified
as acids because the hydrogen is tightly
bound within their molecular structure and
it is never liberated as free H+

11. 11
ACIDS
• Physiologically important acids include:
– Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
– Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
– Pyruvic acid (C3H4O3)
– Lactic acid (C3H6O3)
• These acids are dissolved in body fluids
Lactic acid
Pyruvic acid
Phosphoric acid

12. BASES
• Bases can be defined as:
– A proton (H+) acceptor
– Molecules capable of accepting a
hydrogen ion (OH-)

13. 13
BASES
• Physiologically important bases include:
– Bicarbonate (HCO3
- )
– Biphosphate (HPO4
-2 )
Biphosphate

14. 14
pH SCALE

15. 15
pH SCALE
• pH equals the logarithm (log) to the
base 10 of the reciprocal of the
hydrogen ion (H+) concentration
• H+ concentration in extracellular fluid
(ECF)
pH = log 1 / H+ concentration
4 X 10 -8 (0.00000004)

16. 16
pH SCALE
• Low pH values = high H+ concentrations
– H+ concentration in denominator of
formula
• Unit changes in pH represent a tenfold
change in H+ concentrations
pH = log 1 / H+ concentration

17. 17
pH SCALE
• pH = 4 is more acidic than pH = 6
• pH = 4 has 10 times more free H+
concentration than pH = 5 and 100 times
more free H+ concentration than pH = 6
ACIDOSIS ALKALOSISNORMAL
DEATH DEATH
7.3 7.57.46.8 8.0

18. H ION CONC.
N.MOLS / L. pH
20 7.70
30 7.52
40 7.40
50 7.30
60 7.22
H ION
OH ION
0
14
pH stand for "power of hydrogen"
H+ = 80 - last two digits of pH
Don’t click wait …..till
Last message …….. “H = 80-last two digits of
pH”

19. Quick Recap

20. DEFINITIONS
pH : Negative logarithm to the base 10 of
concentration of free H +
Acids: Any chemical substance capable of
releasing a [H+] into solution
BASE: Any substance capable of combining with
Or accepting a hydrogen Ion in a solution
is called a base

21. CONCEPT OF STRONG AND WEAK ACID
H +
Hcl
H +
H +
H + H +
Cl -
Cl -
Cl -
Cl -
Cl -
Hcl
H2co3 Hco3
-
H +
H2co3
H2co3
H2co3
H2co3

22. Daily Balance of H+ ion in the human body
Tissue respiration
Non volatile acids
Total Body buffer
system
Lungs (co2)
Kidney
PRODUCTION
BUFFERS
ELIMINATION
20000 mmoles/day
80 mmoles/day
2400 mmoles/day
20000mmoles/day
80mmoles/day

23. SOURCES OF MAIN NONVOLATILE ACIDS
METHIONINE AND CYSTEINE
INCOMPLETE COMBUSTION OF FAT
AND CARBOHYDRATE
NUCLEOPROTEIN METABOLISM
METABOLISM OF ORGANIC PHOSPHATES
POTENTIAL ACIDS IN FOOD
SULPHURIC ACID
Organic acids
Uric acid
H + and organic P
Citrate

24. CARBONIC ACID PRODUCTION IN CELLS
Co2
H2o + co2 H2co3 Hco3
- + H +
Co2
H2o + co2 H2co3 Hco3
- + H +
CARBONIC ACID EXCRETION IN LUNGS

25. 25
CARBON DIOXIDE DIFFUSION
CO2
CO2
Red Blood Cell
Systemic Circulation
CO2 H2O H+ HCO3
-+ +
HCO3
-
Cl-
(Chloride Shift)
CO2 diffuses into plasma and into RBC
Within RBC, the hydration of CO2 is catalyzed
by carbonic anhydrase
Bicarbonate thus formed diffuses into plasma
carbonic
anhydrase
Tissues
Plasma

26. 26
CARBON DIOXIDE DIFFUSION
CO2
Red Blood Cell
Systemic Circulation
H2O
H+ HCO3
-
carbonic
anhydrase
Plasma
CO2 CO2
CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2
CO2
Click for Carbon
Dioxide diffusion
+ +
Tissues
H+
Cl-
Hb
H+ is buffered by
Hemoglobin

27. 27
BICARBONATE DIFFUSION
Red Blood Cell Pulmonary Circulation
CO2 H2O
H+
+ + HCO3
-
Cl-
Alveolus
Plasma
CO2
CO2 H2O

28. BUFFERS :
Are substances which can resist small changes in pH
Eg: weak acid and its conjugate base
H2co3 + NaHco3
Addition of an acid
Hcl + NaHco3 Nacl + H2co3
Addition of an alkali
NaoH + H2co3 NaHco3 + H2o

30. BUFFERS IN BLOOD
Extracellular buffers
Plasma Bicarbonate
Plasma Proteins
Inorganic phosphates
Intracellular buffers
Bicarbonate
Hemoglobin
Inorganic phosphates
Organic phosphates

31. FACTORS AFFECTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BUFFER
Buffer concentration
pK of the buffer system
Open or closed buffer system
Cells
Co2
Hco3 + H+
H2co3
H2o + co2
H+
Hb
HHb

32. BUFFERS
Buffer Strength:
The capacity to resist the changes in the pH
of the solution when acid or base is added to
the solution.
It depends on:
pKa value
Ratio between the salt & acid parts of the buffer
[Salt]
[Acid]
The concentration of acid & salt parts

33. 1. pKa value:
Buffers act with maximum strength if the pH
of the solution is nearing to the its pKa value.
BUFFERS
2. Buffers will have maximum strength if the
salt & its acid parts have same concentration
i.e
[Salt]
[Acid]
= 1

34. BICARBONATE BUFFER
Most important buffer of the plasma
pKa : 6.1
Components:
Bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
Plasma Bicarbonate levels: 22 – 26 mmol/Lit.
Arterial Blood Carbonic acid: 1.2 mmol/Lit

35. pH = pKa + log
HCO3
-
H2CO3
pH = 6.1 + log 24/1.2
pH = 6.1 + log 20
pH = 6.1 + 1.3
pH = 7.4
HCO3/H2CO3 = 20 High Efficiency
BICARBONATE BUFFER

36. Acids
H+
H2O + CO2 (d)
H2CO3
H++ HCO3
-
CA
H2CO3/HCO3
BICARBONATE BUFFER
CO2
Exhaled
HCO3
Reabsorbed

37. Bases
OH+ OH-+ H2CO3
H2CO3/HCO3
BICARBONATE BUFFER
CO2
Retains
H2CO3
Regained
HCO3
ExcretedH2O + HCO3

38. The acid component, Carbonic acid will be used up
to combat if any base is added to the blood.
Consumed Carbonic acid – replenished by
Respiratory system.
The base constitute, Bicarbonate will be used up to
combat if any acid is added to the blood.
Consumed Bicarbonate – replenished by Renal
System.
BICARBONATE BUFFER

39. PHOSPHATE BUFFER
Mainly an intracellular buffer.
pKa : 6.8 (nearer to the physiological pH)
Hence an effective buffer
Components:
Dihydrogen Phosphate (NaH2PO4 ) - acidic
part
Monohydrogen Phosphate (Na2HPO4)- basic salt
The ratio of base to acid phosphate is 4:1

40. PROTEIN BUFFER
Mainly an intracellular buffer along with
phosphate buffer.
The side chains of some amino acids –dissociate.
Side chain with pKa nearer to the physiological
pH – act as a buffer.
pKa of Imidazole group of the Histidine: 6.1

41. Hb BUFFER
• The Hb acts as a buffer & maintains the pH
inside RBC
• Buffering action of Hb depends on the
presence of imidazole group of histidine.
• Each Hb has 38 histidine moieties.
• It carries CO2 from peripheral tissues to the
lungs & O2 from the lungs to tissues.
• RBC must need a buffer system to combat
acid base derangements occurring during gas
transports

42. 50
50
0 0
100 100
2 4 5 6 7 8
%ofacidinassociatedform
%ofacidindisassociatedform
pK
Graph to show the relationship between pH and pK

43. pH = pKa + log [ Hco3
-]
[H2co3 ]
pH = logpKa + [ Hco3-]
[ dissolved co2 ]
= pKa + log
[ Hco3-]
Dissociation constant * pCo2
= pKa + log [ Hco3-]
0.03 * 40

44. = 6.1 + log
24
1.2
= 6.1 + log 20
= 6.1 + 1.3
= 7.4
pH =
[ Hco3-]
pCo2
=
Kidney
Lungs

45. 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8.0
Death
Death
20:1
Disslolved co2
[ Hco3-]
1
20

46. 46
ACID-BASE REGULATION
• Maintenance of an acceptable pH range in the
extracellular fluids is accomplished by three
mechanisms:
– 1) Chemical Buffers
• React very rapidly
(less than a second)
– 2) Respiratory Regulation
• Reacts rapidly (seconds to minutes)
– 3) Renal Regulation
• Reacts slowly (minutes to hours)

48. 48
ACID-BASE REGULATION
• Chemical Buffers
– The body uses pH buffers in the blood to
guard against sudden changes in acidity
– A pH buffer works chemically to minimize
changes in the pH of a solution
Buffer

49. 49
ACID-BASE REGULATION
• Respiratory Regulation
– Carbon dioxide is an important by-product of
metabolism and is constantly produced by
cells.
– The blood carries carbon dioxide to the lungs
where it is exhaled.
CO2CO2 CO2
CO2CO2
CO2
Cell
Metabolism

50. 50
ACID-BASE REGULATION
• Respiratory Regulation
– When breathing is increased,
the blood carbon dioxide level
decreases and the blood
becomes more Base
– When breathing is decreased,
the blood carbon dioxide level
increases and the blood becomes more Acidic
– By adjusting the speed and depth of
breathing, the respiratory control centers
and lungs are able to regulate the blood pH
minute by minute

51. 51
ACID-BASE REGULATION
• Kidney Regulation
– Excess acid is excreted
by the kidneys, largely in
the form of ammonia
– The kidneys have some
ability to alter the amount
of acid or base that is
excreted, but this
generally takes several
days

52. RENAL REGULTION OF pH
EXCRETION OF HYDROGEN IONS
REABSORPTION OF BICARBONATE
PHOSPHATE MECHANISM IN KIDNEY TUBULES
AMMONIA MECHANISM

53. CO2 + H20
H2CO3
H +
HCO3
-
H +
HCO3
-
Na +Na +
Na +
EXCRETION OF HYDROGEN
Plasma Tubular cells Tubular Lumen

54. CO2 + H20
H2CO3
H +
HCO3
-HCO3
-
Na +Na +
Na +
HCO3
-
H +
H2CO3
CO2 + H20
REABSORPTION OF BICARBONATE
Plasma Tubular cells Tubular Lumen

55. CO2 + H20
H2CO3
H +
HCO3
-HCO3
-
Na +Na +
Na +
Na2HPO4
NaHPO4
NaH2PO4
PHOSPHATE MECHANISM
Plasma Tubular cells Tubular Lumen

56. CO2 + H20
H2CO3
H +
HCO3
-HCO3
-
Na +
Na +
Excretion of ammonia
Na +
Glutamine
GA
+
NH3
NH3
H +
NH4
Plasma Tubular cells Tubular Lumen

57. 57
ACIDOSIS / ALKALOSIS

58. 58
ACIDOSIS / ALKALOSIS
• Acidosis
–A condition in which the blood has too
much acid (or too little base), frequently
resulting in a decrease in blood pH
• Alkalosis
–A condition in which the blood has too
much base (or too little acid), occasionally
resulting in an increase in blood pH

59. 59
• A relative increase in hydrogen ions
results in acidosis
ACIDOSIS
H+
OH-

60. 60
• A relative increase in bicarbonate results
in alkalosis
ALKALOSIS
H+
OH-

61. 61
ACIDOSIS / ALKALOSIS
• An abnormality in one or more of the pH control
mechanisms can cause one of two major
disturbances in Acid-Base balance
– Acidosis
– Alkalosis

62. 62
ACIDOSIS / ALKALOSIS
• pH changes have dramatic effects on normal cell
function
– 1) Changes in excitability of nerve and muscle
cells
– 2) Influences enzyme activity
– 3) Influences K+ levels

63. 63
CHANGES IN CELL EXCITABILITY
• pH decrease (more acidic) depresses
the central nervous system
– Can lead to loss of consciousness
• pH increase (more basic) can cause
over-excitability
– Tingling sensations, nervousness,
muscle twitches

64. 64
INFLUENCES ON ENZYME ACTIVITY
• pH increases or decreases can alter the shape
of the enzyme rendering it non-functional.
• Changes in enzyme structure can result in
accelerated or depressed metabolic actions
within the cell

65. 65
INFLUENCES ON K+ LEVELS
• When reabsorbing Na+ from the filtrate of the renal
tubules K+ or H+ is secreted (exchanged)
• Normally K+ is
secreted in much
greater amounts
than H+
K+
K+K+K+K+K+K+
Na+Na+Na+Na+Na+Na+
H+

66. 66
INFLUENCES ON K+ LEVELS
• If H+ concentrations are high (acidosis) than H+
is secreted in greater amounts
• This leaves less K+ than usual excreted
• The resultant K+ retention can affect cardiac
function and other systems
K+K+K+
Na+Na+Na+Na+Na+Na+
H+H+H+H+H+H+H+
K+K+K+K+K+

67. 67
ACIDOSIS / ALKALOSIS
• Acidosis and Alkalosis are categorized as
Metabolic or Respiratory depending on their
primary cause
– Metabolic Acidosis and Metabolic Alkalosis
• caused by an imbalance in the production
and excretion of acids or bases by the
kidneys
– Respiratory Acidosis and Respiratory
Alkalosis
• caused primarily by lung or breathing
disorders

68. 68
ACIDOSIS
• Acidosis is a decrease in pH below 7.35
– Which means a relative increase of H+
ions
– pH may fall as low as 7.0 without
irreversible damage but any fall less than
7.0 is usually fatal
H+ pH=

69. 69
ACIDOSIS
• May be caused by:
–An increase in H2CO3
–A decrease in HCO3
-
• Both lead to a decrease in the ratio of 20:1
H2CO3 HCO3
-

70. 70
ACIDOSIS
• 1) Respiratory Acidosis
• 2) Metabolic Acidosis
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+ H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+

71. 71
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

72. 72
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• Any acid-base
imbalance not
attributable to CO2 is
classified as metabolic
–Metabolic production
of Acids
–Or loss of Bases

73. 73
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• Occurs when there is a decrease in the
normal 20:1 ratio
–Decrease in blood pH and bicarbonate
level
• Excessive H+ or decreased HCO3
-
H2CO3 HCO3
-
1 20:
= 7.4
1 10:
= 7.4

74. 74
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• If an increase in acid overwhelms the body's pH
buffering system, the blood can become acidic
• As the blood pH drops,
breathing becomes
deeper and faster as the
body attempts to rid the
blood of excess acid by
decreasing the amount
of carbon dioxide

75. 75
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• Eventually, the kidneys
also try to compensate by
excreting more acid in the
urine
• However, both
mechanisms can be
overwhelmed if the body
continues to produce too
much acid, leading to
severe acidosis and
eventually a coma

76. 76
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• Metabolic acidosis is always characterized
by a reduction in plasma HCO3
- while CO2
remains normal
HCO3
-
CO2
Plasma Levels

77. 77
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• Acidosis results from excessive loss of HCO3
-
rich fluids from the body or from an
accumulation of acids
– Accumulation of non-carbonic plasma acids
uses HCO3
- as a buffer for the additional H+
thus reducing HCO3
- levels
ic Acid
Muscle Cell

78. 78
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• The causes of metabolic acidosis can be
grouped into five major categories
–1) Ingesting an acid or a substance that is
metabolized to acid
–2) Abnormal Metabolism
–3) Kidney Insufficiencies
–4) Strenuous Exercise
–5) Severe Diarrhea

79. 79
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 1) Ingesting An Acid
– Most substances that cause acidosis when
ingested are considered poisonous
– Examples include
wood alcohol
(methanol) and
antifreeze
(ethylene glycol)
– However, even an overdose
of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
can cause metabolic acidosis

80. 80
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 2) Abnormal Metabolism
–The body can produce excess acid as a
result of several diseases
• One of the most significant is Type I
Diabetes Mellitus

81. 81
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• Unregulated diabetes
mellitus causes
ketoacidosis
–Body metabolizes fat
rather than glucose
–Accumulations of
metabolic acids
(Keto Acids) cause
an increase in
plasma H+

82. 82
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• This leads to excessive production of
ketones:
–Acetone
–Acetoacetic acid
–B-hydroxybutyric acid
• Contribute excessive numbers of hydrogen
ions to body fluids
Acetone
Acetoacetic acid
Hydroxybutyric acid
H+
H+
+
H+
H+
H+
H+

83. 83
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 2) Abnormal Metabolism
–The body also produces excess acid in the
advanced stages of shock, when lactic
acid is formed through the metabolism of
sugar

84. 84
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 3) Kidney Insufficiencies
–Even the production of
normal amounts of acid
may lead to acidosis
when the kidneys aren't
functioning normally

85. 85
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 3) Kidney Insufficiencies
–Kidneys may be unable to
rid the plasma of even the
normal amounts of H+
generated from metabolic
acids
–Kidneys may be also
unable to conserve an
adequate amount of HCO3
-
to buffer the normal acid
load

86. 86
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 3) Kidney Insufficiencies
–This type of kidney malfunction is called
renal tubular acidosis or uremic
acidosis and may occur in people with
kidney failure or with abnormalities that
affect the kidneys' ability to excrete acid

87. 87
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 4) Strenuous Exercise
–Muscles resort to anaerobic glycolysis
during strenuous exercise
–Anaerobic respiration leads to the
production of large amounts of lactic acid
C6H12O6 2C3H6O3 + ATP (energy)
Enzymes
Lactic Acid

88. 88
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 5) Severe Diarrhea
– Fluids rich in HCO3
- are released and
reabsorbed during the digestive process
– During diarrhea this HCO3
- is lost from the
body rather than reabsorbed

89. 89
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
• 5) Severe Diarrhea
– The loss of HCO3
- without a corresponding
loss of H+ lowers the pH
– Less HCO3
- is available for buffering H+
– Prolonged deep (from duodenum) vomiting
can result in the same situation

90. 90
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
- metabolic balance before onset of
acidosis
- pH 7.4
- metabolic acidosis
- pH 7.1
- HCO3
- decreases because of excess
presence of ketones, chloride or
organic ions
- body’s compensation
- hyperactive breathing to “ blow off ”
CO2
- kidneys conserve HCO3
- and
eliminate H+ ions in acidic urine
- therapy required to restore
metabolic balance
- lactate solution used in therapy is
converted to bicarbonate ions
in the liver
0.5 10

91. 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8.0
Death
Death
=
[ Hco3-]
pCo2
8
25
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
ACID BASE
Partially compensated

92. 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8.0
Death
Death
=
[ Hco3-]
pCo2
8
25
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
ACID BASE
Partially compensated

93. 6.8 6.9 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 8.0
Death
Death
=
[ Hco3-]
pCo2
18
25
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS
ACID BASE
completely compensated

94. 94
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS

95. 95
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
• Elevation of pH due to an increased 20:1
ratio
–May be caused by:
• An increase of bicarbonate
• A decrease in hydrogen ions
–Imbalance again cannot be due to CO2
–Increase in pH which has a non-
respiratory origin
7.4

96. 96
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
• Can be the result of:
–1) Ingestion of Alkaline Substances
–2) Vomiting ( loss of HCl )

97. 97
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
• 1) Ingestion of Alkaline Substances
–Influx of NaHCO3

98. 98
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
• Baking soda (NaHCO3) often used as a
remedy for gastric hyperacidity
–NaHCO3 dissociates to Na+ and HCO3
-

99. 99
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
• Bicarbonate neutralizes high
acidity in stomach (heart burn)
• The extra bicarbonate is
absorbed into the plasma
increasing pH of plasma as
bicarbonate binds with free H+

100. 100
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
• 2) Vomiting (abnormal loss of HCl)
–Excessive loss of H+

101. 101
METABOLIC ALKALOSIS
- metabolic balance before onset of
alkalosis
- pH = 7.4
- metabolic alkalosis
- pH = 7.7
- HCO3
- increases because of loss of
chloride ions or excess ingestion of
NaHCO3
- body’s compensation
- breathing suppressed to hold CO2
- kidneys conserve H+ ions and
eliminate HCO3
- in alkaline urine
- therapy required to restore metabolic
balance
- HCO3
- ions replaced by Cl- ions1.25 25

102. 102
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

103. 103
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• Caused by hyperkapnia due to
hypoventilation
–Characterized by a pH decrease and
an increase in CO2
CO2 CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2 CO2
CO2
pH
pH

104. 104
HYPOVENTILATION
• Hypo = “Under”
Elimination of CO2
H+
pH

105. 105
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• Hyperkapnia is defined as an
accumulation of carbon dioxide in
extracellular fluids
CO2 CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2 CO2
CO2
pH
pH

106. 106
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• Hyperkapnia is the underlying cause of
Respiratory Acidosis
– Usually the result of decreased CO2
removal from the lungs
CO2 CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2 CO2
CO2
pH
pH

107. 107
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• Decreased CO2 removal
can be the result of:
1) Obstruction of air
passages
2) Decreased respiration
(depression of
respiratory centers)
3) Decreased gas
exchange between
pulmonary capillaries
and air sacs of lungs
4) Collapse of lung

108. 108
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• 1) Obstruction of air passages
–Vomit, anaphylaxis, tracheal cancer

109. 109
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• 2) Decreased Respiration
– Shallow, slow breathing
– Depression of the respiratory centers in the
brain which control breathing rates
• Drug overdose

110. 110
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• 3) Decreased gas
exchange
between
pulmonary
capillaries and air
sacs of lungs
–Emphysema
–Bronchitis
–Pulmonary
edema

111. 111
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
• 4) Collapse of lung
–Compression injury, open thoracic wound
Left lung
collapsed

112. 112
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS
-metabolic balance before onset of
acidosis
-pH = 7.4
-respiratory acidosis
-pH = 7.1
-breathing is suppressed holding CO2 in
body
-body’s compensation
-kidneys conserve HCO3
- ions to restore
the normal 40:2 ratio
-kidneys eliminate H+ ion in acidic urine
- therapy required to restore metabolic
balance
- lactate solution used in therapy is
converted to bicarbonate ions in the liver
40

113. 113
RESPIRATORY
ALKALOSIS

114. 114
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Cause is Hyperventilation
–Leads to eliminating excessive amounts
of CO2
–Increased loss of CO2 from the lungs at a
rate faster than it is produced
–Decrease in H+
CO2 CO2 CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2

115. 115
HYPERVENTILATION
• Hyper = “Over”
Elimination of CO2
H+
pH

116. 116
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Can be the result of:
–1) Anxiety, emotional
disturbances
–2) Respiratory center
lesions
–3) Fever
–4) Salicylate poisoning
(overdose)
–5) Assisted respiration
–6) High altitude (low PO2)

117. 117
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Anxiety is an emotional
disturbance
• The most common cause
of hyperventilation, and
thus respiratory alkalosis,
is anxiety

118. 118
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Usually the only treatment needed is to slow
down the rate of breathing
• Breathing into a paper bag or holding the
breath as long as possible may help raise
the blood CO2 content as the person
breathes carbon dioxide
back in after breathing it out

119. 119
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Respiratory center
lesions
–Damage to brain
centers responsible
for monitoring
breathing rates
• Tumors
• Strokes

120. 120
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Fever
–Rapid shallow
breathing blows off
too much CO2

121. 121
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Salicylate poisoning
(Aspirin overdose)
–Ventilation is stimulated
without regard to the
status of O2, CO2 or H+ in
the body fluids

122. 122
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• High Altitude
– Low concentrations of O2 in the arterial blood
reflexly stimulates ventilation in an attempt to
obtain more O2
– Too much CO2 is “blown off” in the process

123. 123
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Kidneys compensate by:
–Retaining hydrogen ions
–Increasing bicarbonate excretion
H+
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
HCO3
-
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+
H+

124. 124
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
• Decreased CO2 in the lungs will
eventually slow the rate of breathing
–Will permit a normal amount of CO2 to
be retained in the lung

125. 125
RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS
-metabolic balance before onset of
alkalosis
-pH = 7.4
-respiratory alkalosis
-pH = 7.7
- hyperactive breathing “ blows off ” CO2
- body’s compensation
- kidneys conserve H+ ions and eliminate
HCO3
- in alkaline urine
- therapy required to restore metabolic
balance
- HCO3
- ions replaced by Cl- ions

126. ANION GAP
The unmeasured anions constitute the anion gap.
It is due to the presence of proteins, sulphates,
phosphates and organic acids
HIGH ANION GAP ACIDOSIS
Diabetic acidosis
Lactic acidosis
Renal failure
HIGH ANION GAP ACIDOSIS
Diarrhea
Renal tubular acidosis