Definition:
The body’s ability to regulate and compensate for variances of the acidity or alkalinity of body fluids through mechanisms in the brain, kidneys, lungs, and buffering system.
Concept Key Terms: • Acid: any substance that has a pH less than 7.0
• Acidosis: the condition of having too much acid build up in body fluids, below 7.35
• Alkalosis: the condition of having too much alkaline build up in body fluids, above 7.45
• Anion: a negatively charge particle or ion
• Base: any substance that has a pH greater than 7.0
• Bicarbonate (HCO3): a weak base used as a buffer
• Buffer: a chemical substance used to either reduce acidity or reduce alkalinity
• Cation: a positively charged particle or ion
• pH: a scale to determine acidity or alkalinity , scale from 1 to 14 …show more content…
Categories of function or problems
Normal Function
• Functioning Nerves and innervation from brain to organs to sense pH changes
• Functioning Renal System
• Functioning Respiratory System
• Functioning buffering system
• Concepts o Perfusion o Oxygenation o Elimination o Nutrition o Fluid and electrolyte balance
Problems
• Metabolic Acidosis: caused by loss of bicarbonate or too much acid in the body
• Metabolic Alkalosis: caused by increase in bicarbonate or loss of acid in the body
• Respiratory Acidosis: caused by an increase in dissolved CO2 in the body or carbonic acid
• Respiratory Alkalosis: caused by a decrease in dissolved CO2 in the body or carbonic acid, can be caused by hyperventilation
• Compensatory mechanism failure
Risk factors
Critically ill
Diabetes Mellitus
Renal Failure
Age (Young and old more at risk)
COPD
Asthma
Environmental hazards that affect lungs or kidneys
Diets
Fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Poor perfusion
Poor urinary elimination
Poor Oxygenation or excess oxygenation
Impaired cognition
Impaired