Cytology: Acid-base Balance, Metabolic Alkalosis/Acidosis

A pH value less than 7.35 indicates acidosis, which is an abnormal increase in the acidity of the blood. On the other hand, a pH value greater than 7.45 indicates alkalosis, which is an abnormal decrease in the acidity of the blood. Therefore, a pH less than 7.35 indicates acidosis and a pH greater than 7.45 indicates alkalosis.

If a patient is acidemic, it means that the pH level in their blood is below the normal range, indicating acidity. An increased PCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) suggests that there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can cause acidosis. Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is inadequate removal of carbon dioxide from the body, leading to an accumulation of carbonic acid and a decrease in blood pH. Therefore, if a patient is acidemic and PCO2 is increased, it is indicative of respiratory acidosis.

If a patient is alkalemic with increased plasma HCO3-, it indicates that the patient's blood pH is higher than normal and there is an excess of bicarbonate ions in the blood. This condition is known as metabolic alkalosis.

When assessing blood gases, arterial samples are preferred over venous samples. This is because arterial blood reflects the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body more accurately than venous blood. Arterial blood is obtained directly from an artery, which carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the tissues. Venous blood, on the other hand, returns to the heart after delivering oxygen to the tissues, so it may not accurately represent the body's current oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

The body's response to metabolic alkalosis is a natural compensation through the respiratory system by hypoventilation. In metabolic alkalosis, there is an excess of bicarbonate in the body, which leads to an increase in pH. To compensate for this alkalosis, the body decreases the respiratory rate and depth, resulting in hypoventilation. This helps to retain carbon dioxide, which combines with water to form carbonic acid, ultimately reducing the pH and restoring it to normal levels.

The body's rapid response to metabolic acidosis involves hyperventilating as a natural compensation mechanism. When the body is experiencing metabolic acidosis, which is an increase in acid levels in the blood, the respiratory system responds by increasing the rate and depth of breathing. This increased ventilation helps to eliminate carbon dioxide, which is an acid, from the body and restore the acid-base balance. Therefore, the statement is true.

When a patient is acidemic, it means that the pH of their blood is below the normal range, indicating an excess of acid in the body. Metabolic acidosis refers to a condition where there is an accumulation of acid or a loss of bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the body, leading to a decrease in plasma HCO3-. Therefore, if a patient is acidemic and plasma HCO3- is decreased, it indicates the presence of metabolic acidosis.

Alkalinizing solutions: Lactate, gluconate, acetate.

The correct answer suggests that the treatment of metabolic alkalosis involves addressing the underlying cause, providing fluids in emergency situations, and replacing potassium if the patient is experiencing hypokalemia. This approach aims to correct the imbalance in the body's acid-base levels and restore normal electrolyte levels. Administering bicarbonate is not recommended as a treatment for metabolic alkalosis, as it can exacerbate the condition by further increasing the alkalinity of the blood.

In metabolic alkalosis, the blood gas shows increased ABE (Anion Gap) and high HCO3- (bicarbonate). This is because metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an excess of bicarbonate in the blood, leading to an increase in the anion gap. The anion gap represents the difference between the measured cations (sodium) and the measured anions (chloride and bicarbonate) in the blood. Therefore, an increased ABE and high HCO3- levels are indicative of metabolic alkalosis.

Metabolic acidosis is the most common acid-base abnormality in dogs and cats. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is an excess of acid in the body, or when the body is unable to effectively remove acid. This can be caused by various factors such as kidney disease, diabetes, or certain medications. Dogs and cats are particularly prone to developing metabolic acidosis due to their unique metabolic processes. Therefore, it is important for veterinarians to consider metabolic acidosis as a potential diagnosis when evaluating dogs and cats with acid-base abnormalities.

In metabolic acidosis, the blood gas shows a low level of bicarbonate (HCO3-). This is because metabolic acidosis is characterized by an excess of acid or a loss of bicarbonate, leading to a decrease in the bicarbonate concentration in the blood. The low bicarbonate level helps to compensate for the increased acidity in the body.

PCO2 would be decreased.

Blood can only be stored for a maximum of 15 minutes at room temperature without significant changes in blood gas values. This is because blood gas values, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, start to change rapidly once the blood is removed from the body. After 15 minutes, these changes become significant and can affect the quality and effectiveness of the blood. Therefore, it is important to store blood properly and use it within the recommended time frame to ensure its viability for transfusion or other medical purposes.

Administering fast infusions of sodium bicarbonate to dehydrated patients with metabolic acidosis can be life-threatening. This is because rapid correction of acidosis can lead to a sudden shift in electrolyte balance, causing complications such as metabolic alkalosis and hypernatremia. These imbalances can have serious consequences and potentially result in death. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid administering sodium bicarbonate rapidly in this patient population.

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An HCO3- level less than 17 indicates metabolic acidosis, while an HCO3- level greater than 26 indicates metabolic alkalosis.

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Bicarbonate therapy can lead to volume overload because it increases the amount of fluid in the body. This can cause swelling and edema in various organs and tissues. Tetany, or decreased serum calcium, can occur because bicarbonate therapy can lead to increased pH levels in the blood, which can decrease the availability of ionized calcium. Decreased O2 delivery to tissues can occur because bicarbonate therapy can cause vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery. Decreased CO2 levels and alkalosis can also occur as a result of bicarbonate therapy, but these options were not selected as complications in the given answer.

Metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by an imbalance in the body's acid-base balance, resulting in an accumulation of acid or a loss of bicarbonate. Renal failure can cause metabolic acidosis as the kidneys are responsible for excreting acid and regulating bicarbonate levels. Ethylene glycol toxicity can lead to metabolic acidosis due to the production of toxic metabolites. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common cause of metabolic acidosis in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes. Hypoadrenocorticism, also known as Addison's disease, can cause metabolic acidosis due to a deficiency in adrenal hormones. Diarrhea can lead to metabolic acidosis as it can result in the loss of bicarbonate-rich fluids. Lactic acid gain occurs in conditions such as sepsis or tissue hypoxia, leading to metabolic acidosis. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, can cause metabolic acidosis. Diabetes insipidus, a disorder affecting water balance, is not a cause of metabolic acidosis.