We also will be speaking a bit on electrolyte imbalances as well today.

The body normally maintains a steady balance between acids produced during metabolism and bases that neutralize and promote the excretion of the acids.

What is our normal pH of the body?
7.35-7.45

What happens if we don't maintain this range of pH?
acidosis/alkalosis/death
Figure 19-16 page 405 in med-surg text

So what regulates acid/base balance in our bodies?

The lungs help maintain a normal pH by excreting CO2 and water-which are by-products of cellular metabolism. The amount of CO2 in the blood directly relates to carbonic acid concentration. When CO2 is introduced into circulation-it mixes with H2O to form carbonic acid---the acid part of our acid-base balance equation. ****Respiratory affects carbonic acid concentration.

Increased respiratory rate= less CO2 remains in the blood
Decreased respiratory rate= more CO2 remains in the blood

So if our body detects an increased amount of CO2--what will happen to our respiratory rate? increase in rate and depth. And the opposite

If a respiratory problem is the cause of an acid-base imbalance--it can not correct a pH alteration.

The kidneys reabsorb and conserve all of the bicarbonate they filter and can generate additional bicarbonate (the base part of our acid/base equation) and eliminate excess H+ (acidic).

If the renal system is the cause of an acid-base imbalance, it loses it ability to correct a pH alteration.

The last regulatory system in our body is the buffer system. Buffers act chemically to change strong acids into weaker acids or to bind acids to neutralize their effect.
e.g components: hemoglobin, plasma protein, intracellular and extracellular proteins, potassium, phosphate, bicarbonate

When compensatory mechanisms fail--imbalances occur

So knowing these are our three regulatory systems---what are some examples of what may be going on with the body that can alter acid/base imbalance?