LABINI, DIENIZS BSN-3E SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

LEARNING PACKET 4 ACTIVITY

1. How does the respiratory system maintain acid-based balance within the body?

 Respiratory is the second line of defense that contribute a balance acid-base in the

body. It maintains acid-base balance within the body by regulating the blood

levels of carbonic acid: carbonic acid form from a gas (CO2) that combines with

water. Upon the need of our body the excretion of CO2 increases or decreases

therefore the concentration of carbonic acid is maintained. Increasing the rate and

depth of respiration allows you to exhale more CO2. When you experienced

excessive deep and rapid breathing also known as hyperventilation rids the blood

of CO2 resulting to the reduce level of carbonic acid making the blood too

alkaline while when you experienced a slow and shallow breathing also known as

hypoventilation the CO2 excretion reduces resulting to the more carbonic acid

produced making the blood too acidic.

2. Explain how the renal systems helps maintain acid-based balance.

 The renal system help maintain acid-based balance of our body by reabsorbing

bicarbonate from the urine or excreting hydrogen ions into the urine. Kidney are

slower to compensate then the lungs, but renal physiology has several powerful

mechanisms to control p H by the excretion of excess acid/base. We all know that

our kidney is responsible in maintaining homeostasis through the excretion of

waste products and also it restores the normal hydrogen ion concentration within

hour or days. As a result of acidosis in the renal system, the bicarbonate

reabsorbed ore from tubular fluid while the collecting duct secrete more hydrogen
 ion to generate ore bicarbonate and more NH3 buffer is formed; while the result

of alkalosis causes the kidney to excrete ore bicarbonate as there is a reduced

secretion by hydrogen ions and more ammonium is excreted.

3. Differentiate respiratory acidosis from respiratory alkalosis?

 Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation and when the blood becomes

too acidic (<7.35); the p H drops below normal. This is a condition where in the

lungs can’t remove excess carbon dioxide produced by the body. The excess of

CO2 causes the p H of the blood and other body fluids to decrease, making them

too acidic; can occur in asthma pneumonia and emphysema. While, the

respiratory alkalosis results from hyperventilation and when the blood becomes

too alkaline (>7.45); the p H increases above normal. This is a condition where

the level of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood are not balanced and when

you breath too fast or too deep, the carbon dioxide will drop too low. This causes

the p H of the blood to rise and become too alkaline.

4. Differentiate metabolic acidosis from metabolic alkalosis?

 Metabolic acidosis is the high production of hydrogen ions therefore increased the

acidity, this is not due to respiratory conditions. When your body fluids contain

too much acid, it means that your body either not getting rid of enough acid, or

cannot balance the acid in your body. The values are characterized by the p H

<7.35and HCO3 below 22mEq/L. Occurs mainly in ketoacidosis, certain renal

disease and diarrhea. While, the metabolic alkalosis is the low production of

hydrogen ions therefore decreased acidity. The values are characterized by the
blood p H >7.45 and HCO3 level above 26 mEq/L. Occurs mainly in excess of

alkaline indigestion medication and vomiting.