DEFINITION OF TERMS:

1. Acid - substance that can yield a hydrogen ion (H+) when dissolved in water
2. Base - substance that can yield hydroxyl ions (OH-)
3. Dissociation constant - describes the relative strengths of acids and bases
4. pK - negative log of ionization constant and pH in which protonated and unprotonated
forms present in equal concentration
5. Buffer
a. - method in which the body regulates pH so that optimal biological combination
of weak acid or weak base and its salt
i. A system that resists changes in pH
6. Acid-Base Balance - A method in which the body regulates pH so that optimal biological
functioning can occur
7. Acid-Base homeostasis
a. part of human homeostasis concerning the proper balance between acids and
bases
b. Also called body pH
8. Acidosis - a pH level below the reference range (<7.34)
9. Alkalosis - a pH level above the reference range (>7.44)

EXPECTED DIRECTIONAL CHANGES WITH ACID BASE BALANCES

CONDITION pH HCO3 pCO2

Respiratory acidosis
● Uncompensated ↓ Normal ↑
● Partly compensated ↓ ↑ ↑
● compensated normal ↑ ↑

Respiratory Alkalosis
● Uncompensated ↑ Normal ↓
● Partly compensated ↑ ↓ ↓
● Compensated normal ↓ ↓

Metabolic Acidosis
● Uncompensated ↓ ↓ Normal
● Partly compensated ↓ ↓ ↓
● Compensated normal ↓ ↓

Metabolic alkalosis
● Uncompensated ↑ ↑ Normal
● Partly compensated ↑ ↑ ↑
● Compensated normal ↑ ↑
 ACID-BASE MNEMONIC
(ROME)

R RESPIRATORY pH ↑ pCO2 ↓ - alkalosis

O OPPOSITE pH ↓ pCO2 ↑ - acidosis

M METABOLIC pH ↑ pCO2 ↑ - alkalosis

E EQUAL pH ↓ pCO2 ↓ - acidosis

COMPENSATORY
MECHANISM

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS RENAL ↑ HCO3

RESPIRATORY RENAL ↓ HCO3

ALKALOSIS

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS LUNG ↓ pCO2

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS LUNG ↑ pCO2