Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Alkalosis and Acidosis Essay
Alkalosis and Acidosis Essay
Alkalosis and Acidosis Essay
thanks to their delicate homeostatic processes. One of the human body’s multiple homeostatic
processes is the maintenance of the blood’s pH level. The pH regulation is vital to the survival of
many organisms. pH “is a measure of how acidic or basic water is… the range goes from 0-14,
with 7 being neutral1.” pH levels less than 7 are considered to be acidotic while levels higher
than 7 are considered to be alkalotic. The pH of human blood is approximately 7.35. When the
pH of blood changes, various physiological functions of the body changes, especially when
dealing with the function of proteins through denaturation. Two major ways that blood may
Acidosis, defined as a blood pH level of less than 7.35, results in an overload of H+ ions
in the blood stream: “characterized by an increase in plasma acidity” 2. In addition this may be
where hypercapnia ensues. Any pathological cause that leads to the increase in PaCO2 or H+
levels will cause acidosis if regular homeostatic processes are overwhelmed. In the case of
stimulants, drug antagonists and bicarbonate4) and oxygen therapy generally improves acidosis.
For metabolic acidosis, the cause may be more pathological in nature. However, it may be
corrected using “alkali therapy to maintain the plasma pH to greater than 7.202.”
1 Perlman, Howard. “pH: Water Properties, from the USGS Water-Science School.” Accessed
June 26, 2016. http://water.usgs.gov/edu/ph.html.
2 Thomas, Christie P. “Metabolic Acidosis: Background, Etiology, Prognosis,” April 24, 2016.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/242975-overview.
3 Byrd, Ryland P. “Respiratory Acidosis: Background, Etiology and Pathophysiology,” April 24,
2016. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301574-overview.
Franklin H. Lee Alkalosis and Acidosis Essay
EMS Paramedic Academy 46900
Alkalosis, defined as a blood pH level of greater than 7.35, results in a significant
decrease of H+ ions in the blood stream due to an “increase in serum bicarbonate (HCO-3)
and base balance due to alveolar hyperventilation5.” Therefore, blowing off too much CO2
correcting the underlying disorder5”. Coaching patients who are hyperventilating may
significantly improve symptoms and return the pH to 7.35. For metabolic alkalosis, treating the
underlying cause generally improves alkalosis. Chloride drugs may also be used to help treat
metabolic alkalosis.
2016. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301680-overview.
Franklin H. Lee Alkalosis and Acidosis Essay
EMS Paramedic Academy 46900
Works Cited
2016, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/242975-overview.
3. Howard Perlman, “pH: Water Properties, from the USGS Water-Science School,”