Respiratory Acidosis Case Study

959 Words2 Pages

Respiratory Acidosis
Respiratory Acidosis at its most basic definition is the retention of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the respiratory system, causing acidity in the arterial blood (Colbert, Ankey, & Lee, 2013).
A normal pH level of between 7.35 and 7.45 is maintained by a combination of the regulatory mechanisms of the respiratory and renal function, and extracellular and intracellular chemical buffering. The central nervous and respiratory systems control of arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2), plus the control of the plasma bicarbonate by the kidneys, stabilise the arterial pH by excretion or retention of acid or alkali (DuBose, 2012).
Figure 1, shows the normal pH parameters and indicates some of the diseases, including respiratory acidosis, which may develop when deviations from normal levels occur. Figure 1. Shown above are the 90% confidence limits (range of values) of the normal respiratory and metabolic compensations for primary acid-base disturbances. Reprinted from “Harrison’s principles of internal medicine: Cardinal manifestations and presentation of diseases” by D. L. Longo, et al., 2012. Retrieved from http://accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/ViewLarge.aspx?figid=40731055

Under normal conditions, CO2 production through cellular respiration, and excretion through ventilation are balanced and …show more content…

The immediate response is to buffer hydrogen ions with non-bicarbonate buffers. Bicarbonate is ineffective in this situation as it reacts with the hydrogen ions to for H2CO3, which is the original cause. In the extracellular fluid space, proteins constitute the only buffer. While within the cells, haemoglobin, phosphate, proteins, and lactate are the major non-bicarbonate buffers. Up to 97% of the buffering of H2CO3 is derived from intracellular rather than extracellular fluid buffers (Kaehny,

More about Respiratory Acidosis Case Study

Open Document