Author Question: What is the primary chemical event in metabolic alkalosis? a. Decrease in blood CO2 levels b. ... (Read 55 times)

burchfield96 · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

What is the primary chemical event in metabolic alkalosis?

a. Decrease in blood CO2 levels
b. Decrease in blood HCO3 levels
c. Increase in blood CO2 levels
d. Increase in blood HCO3 levels

Question 2

When does a state of alkalemia exist? 1. The HCO3/CO2 ratio exceeds 20:1. 2. The blood pH exceeds 7.45. 3. The blood PCO2 exceeds 54 mm Hg.

a. 2 and 3 only
b. 1, 2, and 3
c. 3 only
d. 1 and 2 only

scikid · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Processes that increase arterial pH by losing fixed acid or gaining HCO3 produce a condition called metabolic alkalosis.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
An increase in HCO3 or a decrease in PCO2 will raise the pH, leading to alkalemia. This pro-duces a HCO3/(PCO2 0.03) ratio greater than 20:1 (e.g., 25:1). A decreased HCO3 or an increased PCO2 decreases the pH, leading to acidemia. This produces a HCO3/(PCO2 0.03) ratio less than 20:1 (e.g., 15:1). The normal ranges for arterial pH, PCO2, and HCO3 are as fol-lows:
pH = 7.35 to 7.45
PaCO2 = 35 to 45 mm Hg
HCO3 = 22 to 26 mEq/L
Alkalemia is defined as a blood pH greater than 7.45.