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The Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-Base Companion
Introduction
Acid-base physiology is not hard.
Acidemia
Acidemia is an increase in plasma hy-drogen concentration above normal.It is recognized by a hydrogen con-centration above 45 nanomol/L or apH below 7.35.
Acidosis
Acidosis is a
process
which increas-es plasma hydrogen concentration.
Acid-base regulation is a subject which is often confusing and intimidat-ing, despite the fact that it is simply the maintenance of a normal hydrogenion concentration.Just as it is important to maintain a consistent concentration of sodium,it is important to maintain a consistent concentration of hydrogen. Like-wise, just as there are defenses to keep the sodium concentration withinnormal limits, there are defenses to keep the hydrogen concentration withinnormal limits.This chapter discusses how hydrogen is measured and how the body de-fends against changes in its concentration.
Acid-base regulation is the maintenance of a normal plasma___________ concentration. Acidemia is a(n) __________ (increase/decrease) in plasma hy-drogen concentration.___________ is a process which decreases plasma hydrogen con-centration.
Alkalemia
Alkalemia is a decrease in plasma hy-drogen concentration below normal.It is recognized by a hydrogen con-centration below 35 nanomol/L or apH above 7.45.
Alkalosis
Alkalosis is a
process
which decreas-es plasma hydrogen concentration.
aaahydrogenincrease Alkalosis
H
+
H
+