Acid-Base Balance Flashcards for NCLEX-RN / CGFNS
Major lung chemical Correct Answer: CO2
Kidney chemicals Correct Answer: Bicarb and hydrogen
What does PH tell you about the blood? Correct Answer: Whether it is acidic, alkaline or neutral
The chemical of acid base can either? Correct Answer: make you sick or compensate. It depends on
which *imbalance* you have.
acid base balance Correct Answer:
Normal PH range Correct Answer: 7.35-7.45
PH below 7.35 Correct Answer: acidosis
PH above 7.45 Correct Answer: alkolosis
Lung compensation when kidneys are sick Correct Answer: fast
What organ does not like it when the pH is messed up? Correct Answer: Brain
Kidney compensation when lungs are sick Correct Answer: slow but efficient
takes 3 days to do anything
What are the two organs that can compensate for a PH that is out of range? Correct Answer: kidneys
and the lungs
Kidneys remove acid through the ______ Correct Answer: urine
What do the kidneys do with Bicarb? Correct Answer: hold onto and return to the blood or
excrete through the urine
How long do the kidneys take to compensate Correct Answer: Very slowly.
Hours to days
How do the lungs get rid of CO2 Correct Answer: by exhaling
What happens to CO2 during hypoventilation Correct Answer: respiration rate goes down and Co2 is
retained
What happens to CO2 during hyperventilation Correct Answer: respiration rate goes up and CO2 is
eliminated
, How long does it take for the lungs to compensate Correct Answer: fast
PaO2 normal value Correct Answer: 80-100
PaCO2 normal value Correct Answer: 35-45
HCO3 normal value Correct Answer: 22-26
Is respiratory acidosis a lung problem or a kidney problem? Correct Answer: lung
What chemical causes respiratory acidosis? Correct Answer: CO2
Respiratory acidosis:
Too little or too much of CO2 Correct Answer: too much
Respiratory acidosis: (how did it happen)
hypoventilating or hyperventilating? Correct Answer: hypoventilating
Breathing is:
- too shallow
- too slowly
- not a all
What happens to a patients LOC and O2 when there CO2 increases? (testing strategy) Correct Answer:
Increase CO2=decrease LOC
Increase CO2= decrease O2
HIGH CO2 = _________ LOC Correct Answer: LOW
HIGH CO2 = _________ O2 Correct Answer: LOW
Early signs of Hypoxia Correct Answer: *- RESTLESSNESS
- TACHYCARDIA*
Late signs of Hypoxia Correct Answer: - Bradycardia
- Cyanosis
When you see restlessness what should you think first (testing strategy)? Correct Answer:
What intervention should be done for hypoxia? Correct Answer:
How do you treat Respiratory acidosis in patients with pneumonia? Correct Answer: Get rid of
secretions by postural drainage, percussion (vibration therapy), deep breathing exercises, suctioning,
fluids, elevate HOB, and incentive spirometry. Then lastly oxygen if needed
Respiratory acidosis:
What is going to compensate for too much CO2? Correct Answer: kidneys
Major lung chemical Correct Answer: CO2
Kidney chemicals Correct Answer: Bicarb and hydrogen
What does PH tell you about the blood? Correct Answer: Whether it is acidic, alkaline or neutral
The chemical of acid base can either? Correct Answer: make you sick or compensate. It depends on
which *imbalance* you have.
acid base balance Correct Answer:
Normal PH range Correct Answer: 7.35-7.45
PH below 7.35 Correct Answer: acidosis
PH above 7.45 Correct Answer: alkolosis
Lung compensation when kidneys are sick Correct Answer: fast
What organ does not like it when the pH is messed up? Correct Answer: Brain
Kidney compensation when lungs are sick Correct Answer: slow but efficient
takes 3 days to do anything
What are the two organs that can compensate for a PH that is out of range? Correct Answer: kidneys
and the lungs
Kidneys remove acid through the ______ Correct Answer: urine
What do the kidneys do with Bicarb? Correct Answer: hold onto and return to the blood or
excrete through the urine
How long do the kidneys take to compensate Correct Answer: Very slowly.
Hours to days
How do the lungs get rid of CO2 Correct Answer: by exhaling
What happens to CO2 during hypoventilation Correct Answer: respiration rate goes down and Co2 is
retained
What happens to CO2 during hyperventilation Correct Answer: respiration rate goes up and CO2 is
eliminated
, How long does it take for the lungs to compensate Correct Answer: fast
PaO2 normal value Correct Answer: 80-100
PaCO2 normal value Correct Answer: 35-45
HCO3 normal value Correct Answer: 22-26
Is respiratory acidosis a lung problem or a kidney problem? Correct Answer: lung
What chemical causes respiratory acidosis? Correct Answer: CO2
Respiratory acidosis:
Too little or too much of CO2 Correct Answer: too much
Respiratory acidosis: (how did it happen)
hypoventilating or hyperventilating? Correct Answer: hypoventilating
Breathing is:
- too shallow
- too slowly
- not a all
What happens to a patients LOC and O2 when there CO2 increases? (testing strategy) Correct Answer:
Increase CO2=decrease LOC
Increase CO2= decrease O2
HIGH CO2 = _________ LOC Correct Answer: LOW
HIGH CO2 = _________ O2 Correct Answer: LOW
Early signs of Hypoxia Correct Answer: *- RESTLESSNESS
- TACHYCARDIA*
Late signs of Hypoxia Correct Answer: - Bradycardia
- Cyanosis
When you see restlessness what should you think first (testing strategy)? Correct Answer:
What intervention should be done for hypoxia? Correct Answer:
How do you treat Respiratory acidosis in patients with pneumonia? Correct Answer: Get rid of
secretions by postural drainage, percussion (vibration therapy), deep breathing exercises, suctioning,
fluids, elevate HOB, and incentive spirometry. Then lastly oxygen if needed
Respiratory acidosis:
What is going to compensate for too much CO2? Correct Answer: kidneys
