Acid Base Imbalances + ABGs
Pathophysiology Course
Pathophysiology
pH
Acid base imbalances are the balance of Acid & Base in the body,
kind of like a tug of war the body loves to keep pH in balance.
-
NORMAL
pH
NORMAL pH
Acidotic
7.35
pH
7.35
pH
Alkalotic
7.45
pHpH
7.45
Normal pH: 7.35 - 7.45
Acidosis: Less than 7.35 pH
Alkalosis (base): Over 7.45 pH
• Full compensation = FULLY Normal pH 7.35 - 7.45
• Partial compensation = pH is not normal
MEMORY TRICKS
Base = Bicarbonate
Controlling Organs
Lungs control
Carbon Dioxide CO2
Breath in O2 & breath out CO2
Hypoventilation leads to
HIGHER CO2
Hyperventilation leads to
lower CO2
Carbon diACID
Hydrogen ions = HIGH acid
KEY PLAYERS
Kidneys control
Acid
Hydrogen H+ ions (acid)
Found in the urine
Bicarbonate HCO3 (base)
Found in the intestines
Base
H⁺
O
Hydrogen Acid
O
C
O
O
C
H
O
Bicarb
Carbon dioxide Acid
Metabolic Acidosis & Alkalosis - Causes
Over 7.45 pH
Metabolic ALKalosis
Vomiting
NGT suction
Hypokalemia
• Low K+ Potassium (below 3.5)
• LOW K+ = AlKaLOWsis
Compensation
• Slow
• Shallow respirations
K
< 3.5
LOW K+
AlKaLOWsis
MEMORY TRICKS
Under 7.35 pH
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic
ALKalosis
H⁺
H⁺
H⁺
H⁺
Diarrhea
Renal Failure
DKA - Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Lactic AcidOSIS
• Shock (low perfusion)
• Sepsis (severe infection)
Compensation
• Rapid, deep respirations
Memory tricks
Memory tricks
Base out the Butt
Metabolic ACIDosis
DKA - Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Vomiting sounds like
“ALKKK-alosis”
Metabolic
ACIDosis
Diarrhea: if it comes
out of your a$$idosis
Renal Failure: when the
kidneys fail, acid prevails!