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Title: Diagnosis of the source of an acid-base disturbance is important for determining Post by: ppk on Aug 10, 2011 Diagnosis of the source of an acid-base disturbance is important for determining the cause of the change in pH. Identify the characteristics of the acid-base disturbances and how the body would respond to those changes.
Title: Re: Diagnosis of the source of an acid-base disturbance is important for determining Post by: lewis on Nov 24, 2011 A metabolic acidosis can be characterized by a decrease in blood pH that occurs with a decrease in bicarbonate. The decrease in bicarbonate is driven by a decrease in ventilation that occurs as a consequence of the decrease in pH sensed by the peripheral chemoreceptors. For a respiratory acidosis, the decrease in pH will be coupled to an increase in PCO2. The kidneys respond to the decrease in pH by increasing bicarbonate reabsorption, which increases PCO2. For a metabolic alkalosis, the increase in pH will be coupled to an increase in bicarbonate. The elevation in bicarbonate is driven by the decrease in ventilation. For a respiratory alkalosis, the increase in pH will be coupled to a decrease in PCO2. That decrease in PCO2 is driven by a decrease in the reabsorption of bicarbonate.
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