Metabolic Alkalosis Review

Metabolic Alkalosis

• What is the cause of metabolic alkalosis? Click all that apply.

___ Excess H+ generated within the body

___ Loss of base from the body

___ Deficit of H+ within the body

___ Gain of base in the body

• Metabolic alkalosis can be caused by either a loss of acid or a gain of base in the body

• Which of the following would be observed in simple, uncompensated metabolic alkalosis?

___ CO₂ rises

___ CO₂ falls

___ HCO₃^- rises

___ HCO₃^- falls

• HCO₃^- levels rise due to gain of HCO₃^- or decreased acid reacting with HCO₃^-.

• What system will compensate for metabolic alkalosis?

___ Respiratory system

___ Renal system

• Because the problem is metabolic in origin, the respiratory system compensates.

• As a result of compensation, which direction will this reaction go?

CO₂ + H₂O H₂CO₃ HCO₃^- + H⁺

Carbon dioxide Water Carbonic acid Bicarbonate Hydrogen ion

• The decreased H⁺ causes the equilibrium reaction of this reaction to shift to the right.

• Will this individual hyperventilate or hypoventilate?

___ Hyperventilate

___ Hypoventilate

• The individual hypoventilates to conserve CO₂.

• Notice that the equilibrium reaction illustrates how the respiratory system compensates for metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. The respiratory system is not the cause of the condition.

Category: Biochemistry Notes