Ms. Y has suddenly experienced a substantial loss of endurance capacity. Six months ago, she was a good runner and swimmer, capable of exercising for hours, yet now she can only exercise for a few minutes before tiring.
As the local physiology expert, you are called in to help the M.D. diagnose the problem.
Her red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels are normal. What problems do these results eliminate?
Heart rate is normal at rest, but goes to a very high level (near 200 beats per min) even with mild exercise.
First, you must determine whether the primary problem is with the respiratory system or the cardiovascular system.
You measure arterial PO2, arterial hemoglobin per cent saturation, and arterial PCO2.
If the problem is with the respiratory system, what should the numbers be for these parameters?
Arterial PO2
Hemoglobin percent saturation:
arterial PCO2:
Explain why.
If the problem is with the cardiovascular system, what should the numbers be for these parameters? Explain why
Arterial PO2:
arterial hemoglobin percent saturation:
arterial PCO2:
Explain why.
Suppose you determine that the problem is with the respiratory system.
Your next goal is to determine whether the problem is with alveolar ventilation (getting fresh air to the alveoli, as can occur with asthma) or diffusion (getting oxygen from alveoli to blood, as can occur with pulmonary edema). Assume you can measure oxygen (PO2) in the exhaled air, the alveoli, and the arterial blood.
How should these PO2 values compare to normal if the problem is inadequate alveolar ventilation?
exhaled PO2?
alveolar PO2?
arterial PO2?
Explain why .
How should these PO2 values compare to normal if the problem is a poor alveolar diffusing capacity?
exhaled PO2?
alveolar PO2?
arterial PO2?
Explain why.
Arterial blood gas analysis typically measures:
And may include:
These measurements are often used to evaluate oxygenation of the tissues and pulmonary function.
pH is a measurement of the acidity of the blood, reflecting the number of hydrogen ions present.
Lower numbers mean more acidity; higher numbers mean more alkalinity.
pH is elevated (more alkaline, higher pH) with:
pH is decreased (more acid, lower pH) with:
pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) reflects the the amount of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the blood.
Indirectly, the pCO2 reflects the exchange of this gas through the lungs to the outside air. Two factors each have a significant impact on the pCO2. The first is how rapidly and deeply the individual is breathing:
The second is the lungs capacity for freely exchanging CO2 across the alveolar membrane:
Increased pCO2 is caused by:
Decreased pCO2 is caused by:
PO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) reflects the amount of oxygen gas dissolved in the blood. It primarily measures the effectiveness of the lungs in pulling oxygen into the blood stream from the atmosphere.
Elevated pO2 levels are associated with:
Decreased PO2 levels are associated with:
CO2 content is a measurement of all the CO2 in the blood.
Most of this is in the form of bicarbonate (HCO3), controlled by the kidney. A small amount (5%) of the CO2 is dissolved in the blood, and in the form of soluble carbonic acid (H2CO3).
For this reason, changes in CO2 content generally reflect such metabolic issues as renal function and unusual losses (diarrhea). Respiratory disease can ultimately effect CO2 content, but only slightly and only if prolonged.
Elevated CO2 levels are seen in:
Decreased CO2 levels are seen in:
Base excess or base deficit
Whenever there is an accumulation of metabolically produced acids, the body attempts to neutralize those acids to maintain a constant acid–base balance.
This neutralizing is achieved by using up various "buffering" compounds in the blood stream, to bind the acids, disallowing them from contributing to more acidity.
About half of these buffering compounds come from HCO3, and the other half from plasma and red blood cell proteins and phosphates.
The words "base deficit" and "base excess" are equivalent and are generally used interchangeably. The only difference is that base deficit is expressed as a positive number and base excess is expressed as a negative number.
A "base deficit" of 10 means that 10 mEqu/L (mmol/L) of buffer has been used up to neutralize metabolic acids (like lactic acid). Another way to say the same thing would be the "base excess is minus 10."
More negative values of base excess may indicate:
Lactic acidosis
Ketoacidosis
Ingestion of acids
Cardiopulmonary collapse
Shock
More positive values of base excess may indicate:
Loss of buffer base
Hemorrhage
Diarrhea
Ingestion of alkali
Oxygen saturation (SO2) measures the percentage of hemoglobin which is fully combined with oxygen.
While this measurement can be obtained from an arterial or venous blood sample, its major attractive feature is that it can be obtained non-invasively and continuously through the use of a "pulseoximeter".
Normally, oxygen saturation on room air is in excess of 95%. With deep or rapid breathing, this can be increased to 98–99%. While breathing oxygen-enriched air (40–100%), the oxygen saturation can be pushed to 100%.
Oxygen saturation will fall if:
Inspired oxygen levels are diminished, such as at increased altitudes.
Upper or middle airway obstruction exists (such as during an acute asthmatic attack)
Significant alveolar lung disease exists, interfering with the free flow of oxygen across the alveolar membrane.
Oxygen saturation will rise if:
Ms. Y has suddenly experienced a substantial loss of endurance capacity. Six months ago, she was...
Ms. Y has suddenly experienced a substantial loss of endurance capacity. Six months ago, she was a good runner and swimmer, capable of exercising for hours, yet now she can only exercise for a few minutes before tiring. As the local physiology expert, you are called in to help the M.D. diagnose the problem. Her red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels are normal. What problems do these results eliminate? 1 pt Heart rate is normal at rest, but goes...
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