Hydrogen Ions Within A Patients Blood

The normal blood pH is between 7.35 and 7.45. Allen’s blood was acidotic due to a decrease in lung expansion and an alteration in the perfusion to his spinal cord. He also has an alteration in spinal innervation to the respiratory muscles including the phrenic nerve that controls the diaphragm. This would further cause Allen to not be able to adequately take in enough oxygen and blow off enough CO2 to adequately have gas exchange, within the alveoli. Respiratory failure.

4. Why does potassium concentration rise in patients with acidosis? What is this called? What effects does it have?

Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all the carbon dioxide the body produces. This causes body fluids, especially the blood, to become too acidic. Chronic respiratory acidosis occurs over a long period of time, this leads to a stable situation, because the kidneys increase body chemicals, such as bicarbonate, that help restore the body’s acid-base balance. Acute respiratory acidosis is a condition in which carbon dioxide builds up quickly, before the kidneys can return the body to a state of balance. Some of the symptoms may include: confusion, fatigue, lethargy, shortness of breath, and sleepiness. Some causes of

Because the PCO2 levels are too high the body is not getting the adequate amount of oxygen. This means the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin is not working properly do to the excessive amounts carbon dioxide causing respiratory acidosis.

The blood glucose level has very limited range for humans to survive and stay healthy. Generally, people are able to remove excess glucose rapidly from the body but this is not the case when they are diagnosed with diabetes and insulin resistant situations. The lack of insulin resistance can also lead to a decrease in glycogen synthesis and storage as it usually converts glucose to energy for cell’s use (Jensen & et al. 2011). When insulin is produced under insulin resistance, the cells are incapable of using them effectively which then leads to high blood sugar level as ketones and ketoacids are produced as an alternative energy source for the body. The rise of ketoacid causes the blood pH acidic and the patient may also be diagnosed with ketoacidosis (Newton & Raskin 2004). There would also be less intake of lipid and more of stored triglycerides as the lipids are effected by the insulin. As the glucose levels increase, the muscle glucose uptake will decrease while the liver glucose production and blood fatty acid concentration will also increase within the body (Lichtenstein & Schwab 2000). Excess glucose within the blood are converted to fat which can lead to Diabetic Dyslipidaemia and furthermore to obesity, hypertension and

These results are showing a more acidosis level and with our pH low the PaCO2 low and also HCO3 low, Sam’s decreased level in the glascow coma scale and tachycardia we could consider a hyperglycaemic metabolic or ketosis acidosis and commence corrective treatment immediately( Roman,M,2008, p268).

One of the basic concepts that new nurses need to learn is that homeostasis in the body is maintained by the acid base balance in the body. That concept is critical when looking at arterial blood gases. This can help guide the nurse to anticipate what the doctor will order and the education that she needs to give the patient and the family. This case study should help to illustrate the point.

1a. Pathophysiology is a key factor in understanding how the body works. One aspect where it is very important is pH disturbances of the body. Respiratory alkalosis is when there is a commotion in the pH balance when there is alveolar hyperventilation in the lungs. This in return can cause a decline in pressure of carbon dioxide causing an increase in bicarbonate. In return the pH level increases. Respiratory acidosis is a pH balance disturbance that occurs in response to alveolar hypoventilation. As carbon dioxide is produced ventilation failure increases the pressure of carbon dioxide. After this happens the pH level decreases. Metabolic alkalosis is an increase in the body’s amount of bicarbonate. When the body loses too much hydrogen from the body, and/or retains too much bicarbonate, this issue can occur. Metabolic acidosis is an occurrence during which there is an increase in acids or a decrease in bicarbonate.

Classic symptoms of diabetes usually presented with newly diagnosed diabetics are: hyperglycaemia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatigue, blurred vision, headaches, and unexplained weight loss. Ketone bodies are found in the urine, this abnormal finding occurs when fatty acid by-products (acetones) are excreted in the urine. The ketones are present from a lack of the insulin hormone used to metabolize fats and carbohydrates. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication which results from minimal useful insulin hormone in the body, hypoglycaemia, or insufficient food intake (American Diabetes Association, 2008).

The bodies balance between acidity and alkalinity is known as the ‘acid-base balance’. The blood's acid-base balance is precisely controlled because even a minor deviation from the normal range can severely affect many organs. The body uses different mechanisms to control the blood's acid-base balance. Effective management of the acid base balance in patients can be a very challenging task.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is defined as an acute metabolic disorder, which is characterized by an increased presence of circulating ketones, and the development of ketoacidosis in the presence of hyperglycemia. This syndrome occurs as a result of insulin deficiency. Patients can be dramatically ill, however, with aggressive treatment, most patients can recover rapidly. Despite being a low-risk condition, the development of acidosis, is one of the criteria to admit these patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring, and recognition of complications that could result from the use of

If the pH of the blood is too low (below 7.4) a condition called acidosis occurs, and if it is too high alkalosis is caused. If the pH of the blood is falls below 6.8 or rises above 7.8, death can occur. Maintaining the proper pH is critical for the chemical reactions that occur in the body. This constancy is known as

If an acid-base disturbance shifts the pH outside of the physiologic range, various control measures are activated to resist the change in pH. Compensatory mechanisms try to preserve the normal 20:1 ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid to keep the pH at normal range. The body works to maintain normal ratios through a compensation mechanism using renal and respiratory methods (Crowley, 2010).

The cause of acidosis in the body is when the kidneys and lungs do not maintain the balance (proper pH level) of chemicals called acids and bases. It can either occur when bicarbonate (a base) is lost or when acid builds up. Acidosis can be defined as either respiratory or metabolic. Too much carbon dioxide (an acid) in the body leads to respiratory acidosis. When the body gets into a situation where it is unable to remove enough carbon dioxide through breathing, it causes respiratory acidosis. This kind of acidosis is also called hyper-capnic acidosis and carbon dioxide acidosis and could be caused by: chest deformities, such as kyphosis, Chest injuries, chest muscle weakness, chronic lung disease and overuse of sedative drugs. The symptoms that can be caused by respiratory acidosis are confusion, fatigue, lethargy, shortness of breath, and sleepiness. Metabolic acidosis develops when too much acid is produced in the body. It can also occur when the kidneys cannot remove enough acid from the body. There are several types of metabolic acidosis: Hyperchloremic, Lactic and diabetic. Things that could cause acidosis are: Dehydration, Aspirin poisoning and kidney disease. Diabetic acidosis (also called diabetic ketoacidosis and DKA) develops when substances called ketone bodies (which are acidic) build up during uncontrolled diabetes. The symptoms of metabolic acidosis symptoms depend on the underlying disease or condition. The metabolic acidosis itself usually causes rapid

The major effect of acidosis is depression of the central nervous system. When the pH of the blood falls below 7.35, the central nervous system malfunctions, and the individual becomes disoriented and possibly comatose as the condition worsens. Causes for acidosis include things such as; obesity, disease of the airway and diseases involving the chest. (Hadjiliadis, 2014)