Respiratory Acidosis Review

Respiratory Acidosis

• What is the cause of respiratory acidosis?

___ Excess H⁺ generated in the body

___ Loss of base from the body

___ Deficit of H⁺ from the body

___ Gain of base from the body

___ Increased H₂CO₃

___ Decreased H₂CO₃

• Respiratory acidosis occurs because CO₂ is not eliminated from the body.

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

CO₂ + H₂O H₂CO₃ HCO₃^- + H⁺

Carbon dioxide Water Carbonic acid Bicarbonate Hydrogen ion

• Yes, the increased CO₂ in the blood will cause the reaction to shift to the right.

• Which of the following would be observed in simple, uncompensated respiratory acidosis?

___ CO₂ rises

___ CO₂ falls

___ HCO₃^- rises

___ HCO₃^- falls

• CO₂ rises because the individual is unable to blow off this gas.

• What system will compensate for respiratory acidosis?

___ Respiratory system

___ Renal system

• Over time, the renal system will compensate by generating or reabsorbing HCO₃, or excreting H+, but it may take hours or days for complete compensation to occur.

Category: Biochemistry Notes