Acid-BaseBalanceandImbalance.pptVIP

Acid-Base Balanceand Imbalance James Barnett, RN, MSN Clinical Educator – Neuroscience PCC Vanderbilt University Medical Center May 2007 Definitions pH Measurement of how alkaline or acid a substance is Chemistry Neutral ph = 7 pH 7 is acid pH 7 is alkaline Normal human blood pH is slightly alkaline at 7.35 – 7.45 Definitions An Acid is… A molecule that can donate a H+ ion Examples: H2O ? H+ + OH- H2CO3 ? H+ + HCO3- An acid can be weak, moderate, or strong depending on its pH Weaker acids are closer to 7 Stronger acids are closer to 1 Definitions A Base or alkali is… A molecule that can accept a H+ ion Examples: H+ + OH- ? H2O H+ + HCO3- ? H2CO3 A base can be weak, moderate, or strong depending on its pH Weaker bases are closer to pH 7 Stronger bases are closer to pH 14 An Important Equilibrium Equation H2O + CO2 ? H2CO3 ? H+ + HCO3- Types of Acids Volatile acids Easily move from liquid to gas state Within the body Lung can remove H2CO3 + renal enzyme ? H2O + CO2 (both of which are exhaled) Carbon dioxide is therefore considered an acid Types of Acids Nonvolatile acids Cannot be changed to gas state Within the body Must be removed by the kidneys (metabolic) Examples Keto acids Lactic acids Acid-Base Imbalance Acid Imbalance Too much CO2 leads to decreased pH and an acid condition Too little CO2 leads to increased pH and an alkaline condition PaCO2 Amount of CO2 dissolved in the blood Good indicator of respiratory and ventilatory function Base Imbalance Major base in body is bicarbonate (HCO3-) Regulated by the kidneys (metabolic) Too little HCO3- causes decrease in pH and acid conditions Too much HCO3- causes increase in pH and alkaline conditions More definitions Acidemia – condition where blood is more acid than normal (pH 7.35) Alkalemia – condition where blood is more alkaline than normal (pH 7.45) Acidosis – the process causing acidemia Alkalosis – the process causing alkalemia Respiratory Imbalances Respiratory mechanisms involve eithe