ANATOMY

GENERAL ANATOMY

BLOOD AND BODILY FLUIDS

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
For a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis, the body will compensate by:
A
Excreting H+ through the kidneys
B
Hyperventilating
C
Retaining CO2 in the lungs
D
Secreting aldosterone
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Compensation for a metabolic acidosis is hyperventilation to decrease the arterial pCO2. This hyperventilation was first described by Kussmaul in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis in 1874. The metabolic acidosis is detected by both the peripheral and central chemoreceptors and the respiratory center is stimulated.

Detailed explanation-2: -Adding base to counter high acids levels treats some types of metabolic acidosis. Intravenous (IV) treatment with a base called sodium bicarbonate is one way to balance acids in the blood. It ‘s used to treat conditions that cause acidosis through bicarbonate (base) loss.

Detailed explanation-3: -Respiratory Alkalosis and Acidosis When a person hyperventilates they exhale more carbon dioxide than normal. As a result the carbon dioxide concentration in the blood is reduced and the bicarbonate/carbonic acid equilibrium shifts to the left. The corresponding drop in H3O+ concentration causes an increase in pH.

Detailed explanation-4: -Deep sighing respiration (Kussmaul breathing) is a common feature of acidosis (hyperventilation in an attempt to remove carbon dioxide) but may take some hours to appear.

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