Question

Interpreting Arterial Blood Gases. Using the alternatives below fill in the gaps in the following table: Respiratory alkalosis, Renal (Metabolic) acidosis Renal (Metabolic) alkalosis pH Primary problem Condition Low PCO2 Respiratory acidosis 30.1) High/PCO2 Condition: 30.2) Low HCO3 Condition: 30.3) High/ HCO3 Condition:

Answer 1

30.1 . High pH /

decreased PCO2 Condition: Respiratory Alkalosis

Respiratory alkalosis is a condition in which the increased ventilation or respiration may cause a reduction in carbon dioxide in the blood, resulting in increased pH of blood ( 7.35- 7.48). Alkalosis is an abnormally increased alkalinity in the blood.

Respiratory alkalosis occur when a person breaths too deep resulting in dropping of Carbon dioxide level in the blood . It may occur due to asthma, heart attack, Pulmonary embolism and with certain drug use.

30.2 low /

decreased HCO3 Condition: Metabolic acidosis Low level of bicarbonate ( HCO3) in the blood causes Metabolic acidosis. Acidosis is an abnormally increased acidity of the blood. Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which the body produces too much acid or kidneys are failing to remove excess acid from body or loss of bicarbonate through vomiting.  Example: Diabetic Acidosis.

30.3 High pH

High HCO3 : Metabolic Alkalosis

Metabolic alkalosis is a condition in which there will be decreased hydrogen ion concentration and increased bicarbonate in the blood, resulting in increased pH of blood. It may be with or without increase in partial pressure of Carbon dioxide. some times retention of bicarbonate may occur in kidneys . Kidneys help to regulate bicarbonate as it is excreted and reabsorbed by kidneys. Metabolic alkalosis may occur due to kidney diseases, diarrhoea and liver failure.