Respiratory Acisosis And Respiratory Alkalosis
- These Both Are Acid Base Imbalances. To Understand These Terms We Need To Understand What Is Acidosis And What Is Alkalosis
- First Let Me Remind Of The pH Scale That You Might Have Read In Your School
- In This pH Scale, 7 Represents Neutral Status, Towards 0
Acidity Will Be Increased, And Towards 14 Alkalinity Will Be Increased. pH Of
Our Blood Is 7.4 And The Range For It Is 7.35 – 7.45, So We Can Say That Our
Blood Is Slightly Basic(Alkaline). So When The pH Of This Blood Shows Variations From
The Range 7.35 – 7.45 That It Is Known
As Acid Base Balance.
- This Acid Base Balance Is Of Two Types
- Respiratory – In Which Lungs Are Involoved
- Metabolic – In Which Kidneys Are Involved.
- Respiratory Acidosis – When Lungs Or Repiratory System Is Unable To Perform Its Functions Properly It Leads To Deposition Of C02 In The Body Which Ultimately Develops Acidity In Form Of H2co3.
Following Are The Causes Which Results In Co2 Deposition In The Body
- Respiratory Disorders : COPD, Atelectasis, Emphysema And Other Respiratory Disordes
- CNS Depressants : Fentanyl, Midazolam, Propofol Etc.
- Depression Of Respiratory Centers Present In The Brain
Clinical Manifestations :
a. Hypoventilation
b. Hyperklemis
c. Drowsiness, Dizziness
d. Confusion, Headache, Coma
e. Hypotension
f. Seizures
g. Ventricular Fibrillation
Management Of Repiratory Acidosis :
a. Correct The Cause
b. Semi Fowler Position
c. O2 Therapy
d. Increased Fluid Intake
Respiratory Alkalosis :
Decrease In Hydrogen Ions H+ Due To Alveolar Hyperventilation
Causes :
a. Hypoxia, Hysteria, Hyperventilation
b. Overventilatilation
c. Pain > 7
d. Panic Anxiey Disorders
e. Fever
Clinical Manifestation –
a. Hyperventilation
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hypocalcemia
d. Lethargy
e. Light Headedness
f. Confusion
g. Tachycardia
Management –
a. Correct The Cause
b. Encourage Appropriate Breathing ( Ask Patient To Hold Breath Voluntarily, Use Of Rebreather Mask)
For detailed discussion, please watch Video