Question

The patient with emphysema would MOST LIKELY have the following primary acid-base imbalance:

a. metabolic acidosis

b. metabolic alkalosis

c. respiratory acidosis

d. respiratory alkalosis

A patient with an acute pulmonary embolus should be assessed for which primary acid-base abnormality?

a. metabolic acidosis

b. metabolic alkalosis

c. respiratory acidosis

d. respiratory alkalosis

Answer 1

Q1.Option C-Respiratory Acidosis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic lung disease in old age,associated with smoking which makes it hard to breathe. It include-

1.Chronic bronchitis: long-term cough with mucus.

2.Emphysema:damage to the lungs over time (Dialatation of airspaces distal to terminal Bronchioles)

These Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are likely to cause respiratory acidosis.

This is Because in COPD ,There is Difficulty in Breathing,You cannot Exhale the CO2 Effectively.

Respiratory acidosis occur when inhaled air and exhaled air does not get adequately exchanged between the CO2 from the body for O2 from the air.

In COPD ,There reduced ability to exhale the CO2 adequately------ leads to hypercapnia. Chronic elevation of carbon dioxide --- leads to acid-base disorders ---Respiratory Acidosis--- shift of normal respiratory drive to hypoxic drive.

Respiratory acidosis occurs when lungs can't remove enough of the CO2 produced in the body. Excess CO2 -------- Decrease pH of blood--Make it acidic.

Q2.Option D-Respiratory Alkalosis.

In Pulmonary Embolus------Complete obstruction of a pulmonary artery by an embolus ----- increase in anatomic dead space-----lower than normal arterial PCO2------Hyperventillation----- respiratory alkalosis .

Respiratory alkalosis is the condition in which increased respiration ------Leads to elevation of the blood pH beyond the normal (7.35–7.45) ,Associated with concurrent reduction Arterial CO. levels