Acid Base Disturbances
Respiratory Acidosis alveolar hypoventilation results in carbon dioxide retention and elevated PCO2. Respiratory depression due to alcohol or drugs Increased airway resistance due to asthma impaired gas exchange due to pulmonary fibrosis or severe pneumonia Loss of alveolar surface area in COPD emphysema Muscle weakness of muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases Increase plasma CO2 Decrease HCO3 and an increase in pH Because the problem is respiratory you dont expect respiratory compensation. we dont have buffers as they are used up - hence your abnormal blood test So we only left with renal compensation Excrete H+ and reabsorb HCO3, increasing pH, COPD patients have chronic compensation Metabolic Acidosis: Increased H+ but Decreased HCO3 - Normal alveolar exchange therefore normal PCO2 Dietary and Metabolic H+ in is greater than H+ excretion - Metabolic causes of acidosis anaerobic metabolism causes lactic acidosis excessive breakdown of fat and protein