Question

If a patient has a collapsed lung what changes to blood pH are likely to occur? Explain why this might happen.

How could the body compensate for these changes?

Answer 1

A collapse of the lung occurs when the air that normally circulates within the lung leaks into the space between lung and chest wall. A buildup of air increases the pressure on lung, causing it to collapse. The blood pH is likely to decrease, when a patient has a collapsed lung. The patient has more CO₂ in blood.

CO₂ + H₂O ----->H₂CO₃

H₂CO₃   ----> H⁺ + to HCO₃^-

When blood pH is low and the blood becomes acidic. Normal blood pH of our body is set at 7.4.The presence of too many H⁺ ions make it acidic.

Bicarbonate Buffer System can help to compensate for these changes. They soak up extra H⁺ ions

PH = PKa + log [HCO₃^- ]/ [H₂CO₃]

HCO₃^- is a base and soaks up hydrogen ions.

If pH is too high, carbonic acid will donate H⁺ and pH will drop.

If pH is too low, bicarbonate will bond with H⁺ and pH will rise.