This document discusses acid-base disorders including acidosis and alkalosis. It defines metabolic and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis based on primary disturbances in bicarbonate or pCO2 levels. Compensatory responses between the respiratory and renal systems are described. Causes, examples, and management of respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are provided. Arterial blood gas analysis is explained as a tool to measure acid-base levels and oxygen status in patients with conditions like lung disease. One case presented is identified as chronic respiratory acidosis based on elevated pCO2 and bicarbonate levels.

1. Department of Biochemistry, Nepalgunj Medical College
Sunday, May 22,
2016
Rajesh Chaudhary
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For MBBS I

2. Acidosis and Alkalosis
If the pH of the body falls below 7.34, it is called acidosis.
If the pH of the body shoots above 7.42, it is called
alkalosis.
Acidemia Vs Acidosis
Alkalemia Vs Alkalosis
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2016
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3. Disturbance of acid-base
Metabolic: Primary disturbance is in [HCO3-]
[HCO3-] Metabolic acidosis
[HCO3-] Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory: Primary disturbance is in pCO2
pCO2 Respiratory acidosis, Cause: hypoventillation
pCO2 Respiratory alkalosis, Cause: hyperventillation
Sunday, May 22,
2016
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4. Rule of thumb !
If acid-base disturbance is metabolic (HCO3-), then
compensatory response is respiratory (pCO2).
If acid-base disturbance is respiratory (pCO2), then the
compensatory response is renal (to adjust HCO3-).
Sunday, May 22,
2016
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5. Sunday, May 22,
2016
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6. pH of important biological fluid
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2016
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Fluid pH
Pancreatic juice 7.5 – 8.0
Blood plasma (or whole
blood)
7.35 – 7.45
Cerebralspinal fluid 7.2 – 7.4
Tears 7.2 – 7.4
Interstitial fluid 7.2 – 7.4
Saliva 6.4 – 7.0
Gastric juice 1.5 – 3.0

7. Rajesh Chaudhary
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8. Lowry’s-Bronsted concept of Acid-
Base
Acid: Substance that can release hydrogen ion (proton)
upon dissociation.
Base: Substance that can accept hydrogen ion (proton)
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2016
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Acid and base can be either strong or weak.
The concept of LEO-GER.

9. Buffers in our body
Definition: A solution which resists change in pH which
might be expected to occur upon addition of acid or base.
Buffers: mixtures of weak acid + it’s corresponding salt
Examples: Blood buffers: Bicarbonates,
Phosphate, Proteins, Hemoglobin as a
buffer.
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2016
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10. Mechanism of action of buffers
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2016
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11. Reasons for respiratory acidosis-
alkalosis
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2016
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12. Primary acid-base disorders are
recognized by
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2016
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13. Major clinical causes of acid-base
disorder
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2016
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Respiratory acidosis Respiratory alkalosis
Severe asthma Hyperventillation
Cardiac arrest Anemia
Obstruction in airways
Salicylate poisoningChest deformities
Depression of respiratory center
by drugs (e.g. opiates)

14. Mechanism of regulation of pH
Front-line defense
Buffer system
Respiratory mechanism
Second-line defense
Renal mechanism
Dilution factor
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2016
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15. Reabsorption of filtered HCO3-
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16. 16
Mechanism for excretion of titratable
acid
NOTE: Titratable
acid is excreted
throughout the
nephrons but
primarily in the a-
intercalated cells of
the late distal
tubules and
collecting ducts.

17. Excretion of H+ as NH4+
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2016
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18. Respiratory acidosis
May be acute or chronic.
Acute occurs within minutes and are uncompensated.
Primary problem  alveolar hypoventilation.
So, what might be reason behind
uncompensated acute case?
Reason: Renal compensation takes 48-72 hours to be
effective.
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2016
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19. Why an increased pCO2 causes an
acidosis?
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2016
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20. Examples of acute and
uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Chocking
Bronchopenumonia
Acute exacerbation of asthma / COAD
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2016
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21. Chronic respiratory acidosis
Usually results from chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD)
Usually long-standing condition
Accompanied by maximal renal compensation
Primary problem: impaired alveolar ventilation, but renal
compensation contributes markedly to the acid-base picture.
Compensation may be partial or complete
Kidney increases hydrogen ion excretion and ECF bicarbonate
level rises.
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2016
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22. Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is much less common than acidosis.
Can occur when respiration is stimulated or is no longer subject
to feedback control.
Usually acute with no renal compensation.
Treatment is to inhibit or remove the cause of hyperventilation.
Examples: Hysterical over-breathing, mechanical over-
ventilation in an intensive care patient, raised intracranial
pressure, or hypoxia – both of which may stimulate
respiratory center.
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2016
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23. Mixed acid-base disorder
Not uncommon for a patient to have more than one acid-
base disorder.
May have both metabolic and respiratory acidosis.
Example: Chronic bronchitis patient who develops renal
impairment.
A patient with COAD (respiratory acidosis) + thiazide-
induced potassium depletion and consequent metabolic
alkalosis.
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2016
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24. Management of respiratory alkalosis
Increasing the inspired pCO2 by making patient
rebreathe into a paper bag  aborts clinical features
of acute hypocapnia in acute hyperventilation
(Drawback: temporary measure; carries risk of
hypoxia)
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2016
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25. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
Why arterial blood is used to blood-gas analysis?
For measuring pH, pCO2 and pO2 in artery.
To measure how well your lungs are able to move oxygen
and carbon dioxide between lungs and tissues.
So, what parameters are measured?
pO2, pCO2, pH, bicarbonate, oxygen content and oxygen
saturation.
Sunday, May 22,
2016
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26. Why is it done?
For checking severe breathing problems and lungs diseases
such as asthma, cystic fibrosis or COPD.
To see how well treatment for lung diseases is working.
To check if you need extra oxygen to help with breathing
(mechanical ventilation).
To check if you are receiving right amount of oxygen if you are
in oxygen therapy.
Measure acid-base level in the blood of people who have
heart failure, kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes, sleep
disorders, sever infections etc.
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2016
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ABG analysis

27. Apatient has the following arterial
blood values pH, 7.33; [HCO3-], 36
mEq/L; pCO2, 70 mm Hg. What is the
patient’s acid-base disorder? Is it acute or
chronic?
Comment on the case.
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2016
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Reference ranges
1. pH: 7.37-7.42
pCO2: 40 mmHg
2. [HCO3-]: 24 mEq/L

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2016
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