Final Exam - Final Exam Question: normal pH range Answer: 7....

NSG 122 - Nursing Fundamental Concepts

Final Exam

Question:

normal pH range

Answer:

7.35 - 7.45

Question:

pH below 7.35 indicates

Answer:

acidosis

Question:

pH above 7.45 indicates

Answer:

alkalosis

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Question:

normal PaCO2 range

Answer:

45-35

Question:

normal HCO3 range

Answer:

22-26

Question:

buffer systems in the body***

Answer:

• chemical buffers (NaHCO3) - works within seconds
• respiratory - regulates CO2 - works within minutes
• metabolic - regulates HCO3 - may take days to regulate

Question:

How does the respiratory system regulate pH?

Answer:

• when CO2 is exhaled by the lungs, the amount of carbonic acid in the

blood decreases, thus the pH of the blood increases 2 / 4

- hyperventilation: rapid, excessive breathing; causes alkalization of the

blood (respiratory alkalosis)

- hypoventilation: decreased respiration; causes blood to be more acidic

(respiratory acidosis)

Question:

How do the kidneys regulate pH?

Answer:

• excreting or reabsorbing H+ and HCO3
• if pH is acidotic, excrete H+ and keep HCO3
• if pH is alkalotic, excrete HCO3 and keep H+

Question:

Risk factors for ABG imbalance

Answer:

• burns
• trauma
• surgery
• abnormal loss of body fluids
• acute/chronic illness

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Question:

respiratory acidosis

Answer:

• drop in blood pH caused by hypoventilation (too little breathing) and a

resulting accumulation of CO2

• low pH, high PaCO2
• suddenly increased heart rate, respirations, and BP
• shallow breaths
• disorientation

- Compensation: lungs hyperventilate, kidneys eliminate acid

Question:

respiratory alkalosis

Answer:

• increase in blood pH caused by hyperventilation and a resulting decrease in

CO2

• high pH, low PaCO2
• light headedness
• hypokalemia
• seizures
• tingling in the extremities

- Compensation: breathing into paper bag, kidneys retain more H+ ions and

reabsorb less HCO3

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