Acid-Base Imbalances - Medical-Surgical - Cardiovascular System | @LevelUpRN

Summary

In this video, Cathy from Level Up RN provides an insightful overview of acid-base imbalances, focusing on causes, symptoms, and treatments. She explains respiratory imbalances like alkalosis and acidosis, as well as metabolic imbalances such as alkalosis and acidosis. Cathy breaks down how conditions like anxiety, DKA, and kidney failure can affect the body's pH balance. At the end, she engages viewers with a quiz to reinforce key concepts, encouraging viewers to review the material through repetition and study. Ideal for nursing students, this video offers clear, practical insights into acid-base imbalances.

Takeaways

• 😀 Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the pH is above 7.45 and PaCO2 is below 35, often caused by hyperventilation from anxiety, pain, or trauma.
• 😀 Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis include shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and numbness in the hands or feet.
• 😀 Treatment for respiratory alkalosis focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as anti-anxiety medications or pain management.
• 😀 Respiratory acidosis occurs when the pH is below 7.35 and PaCO2 is above 45, often caused by hypoventilation from disorders like COPD or opioid overdose.
• 😀 Symptoms of respiratory acidosis include confusion, lethargy, dyspnea, and pale or cyanotic skin.
• 😀 Treatment for respiratory acidosis may involve oxygen therapy, bronchodilators, naloxone for opioid overdose, or mechanical ventilation.
• 😀 Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a pH over 7.45 and bicarbonate (HCO3) above 28, often caused by antacid overdose or loss of body acid due to vomiting.
• 😀 Symptoms of metabolic alkalosis include tachycardia, dysrhythmias, muscle weakness, and lethargy.
• 😀 Treatment for metabolic alkalosis aims to correct the underlying issue, with antiemetics for vomiting and IV fluid/electrolyte replacement.
• 😀 Metabolic acidosis occurs when the pH is below 7.35 and bicarbonate (HCO3) is below 21, often caused by diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), kidney failure, or diarrhea.
• 😀 Symptoms of metabolic acidosis include hypotension, tachycardia, weak pulses, dysrhythmias, Kussmaul respirations, and fruity breath odor.
• 😀 Treatment for metabolic acidosis may involve sodium bicarbonate, IV fluids, insulin for DKA, and hemodialysis for kidney failure.
• 😀 The quiz helps reinforce knowledge, covering conditions like pneumonia, DKA, anxiety, and antacid overdose, and their respective acid-base imbalances.
• 😀 Repetition is key to mastering acid-base imbalances, so reviewing flashcards and revisiting material is recommended.

Q & A

What is respiratory alkalosis, and what are its causes?

Respiratory alkalosis is a condition where the pH is above 7.45 and the PaCO2 is below 35. It is caused by hyperventilation, which can occur due to fear, anxiety, salicylate toxicity (e.g., excess aspirin), high altitude, shock, pain, or trauma.

What are the signs and symptoms of respiratory alkalosis?

Symptoms of respiratory alkalosis include shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and numbness in the hands or feet.

How is respiratory alkalosis treated?

Treatment for respiratory alkalosis focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as administering anti-anxiety medications for anxiety or pain medications for pain.

What is respiratory acidosis, and what causes it?

Respiratory acidosis is a condition where the pH is below 7.35 and the PaCO2 is above 45. It is caused by hypoventilation, which can result from respiratory disorders like ARDS, asthma, pneumonia, or COPD, inadequate chest expansion, or respiratory depression due to medications such as opioids or benzodiazepines.

What are the signs and symptoms of respiratory acidosis?

Signs and symptoms of respiratory acidosis include confusion, lethargy, dyspnea, and pale or cyanotic skin.

How is respiratory acidosis treated?

Treatment for respiratory acidosis includes oxygen therapy, bronchodilators for conditions like asthma, naloxone for opioid overdose, and, in some cases, mechanical ventilation.

What is metabolic alkalosis, and what are its causes?

Metabolic alkalosis is a condition where the pH is above 7.45 and bicarbonate (HCO3) is above 28. It can be caused by antacid overdose, vomiting, or NG tube suctioning, leading to a loss of body acid.

What are the signs and symptoms of metabolic alkalosis?

Symptoms of metabolic alkalosis include tachycardia, dysrhythmias, muscle weakness, and lethargy.

How is metabolic alkalosis treated?

Treatment for metabolic alkalosis aims to correct the underlying issue, such as administering antiemetics for vomiting, providing IV fluids, and replacing electrolytes.

What is metabolic acidosis, and what are its causes?

Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the pH is below 7.35 and bicarbonate (HCO3) is below 21. Causes include diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), kidney failure, starvation, diarrhea, and dehydration.

What are the signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis?

Symptoms of metabolic acidosis include hypotension, tachycardia, weak pulses, dysrhythmias, Kussmaul respirations, and a fruity odor to the breath.

How is metabolic acidosis treated?

Treatment for metabolic acidosis includes administering sodium bicarbonate, providing IV fluids and insulin for DKA, and using hemodialysis for kidney failure.

What is the purpose of the quiz at the end of the video?

The quiz at the end of the video is designed to test the viewer's knowledge of key facts about acid-base imbalances, reinforcing their understanding of the material covered.

Which acid-base imbalance is caused by hyperventilation due to pneumonia?

Hyperventilation due to pneumonia causes respiratory acidosis.

What acid-base imbalance is caused by DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis)?

DKA causes metabolic acidosis.

Which acid-base imbalance is caused by hyperventilation due to anxiety?

Hyperventilation due to anxiety causes respiratory alkalosis.

What acid-base imbalance is caused by an antacid overdose?

An antacid overdose causes metabolic alkalosis.