A man arrives in the emergency room. His primary complaint is “difficulty breath

Question

A man arrives in the emergency room. His primary complaint is “difficulty breathing” for the last several days. A blood test reveals arterial PCO2 of 46mmHg and blood pH of 7.31. (a) Is the man hypoventilating or hyperventilating? Explain. (2pts) (b) Use the chemical equations we covered in class to explain the relationship between blood PCO2 and blood pH. (2pts) (c) Would a urinalysis mostly likely show a lower-than-normal or higher-than-normal urine pH in this patient? Briefly explain. (2pts) ( please cite sources if possible)

Explanation / Answer

If the levels of PCO2, rise above 45mmHg, it indicates there is increase of CO2.The respiratory system delivers oxyge to the pulmonary capillary bed andremoves carbondioxide from blood stream,by removing it from pulmonary capillary bed.Failure of ventillation increases levels of carbon dioxide.This results in reduction of blood pH. pH less than 7.35 may be indicative of acidosis.The man (explained above) should be hypoventillating.

When carbondioxide retention occurs (as in a hypoventillating person),acidosis increases.The CO2 levels increase in body fluids also. this combines with water to form carbonic acid. The carbonic acid dissociates to form hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions.H+ ions decrease pH of blood. To compensate this, there is rate of increase in production of H+ by the kidneys .Secretion of HCO3- into urine causes decrease in plasma pH.   So the urine would show lower pH than normal.

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