Metabolic acidosis . As we will see later in the course, pathological conditions

Question

Metabolic acidosis. As we will see later in the course, pathological conditions arise where the blood pH falls because of excess acid production, a condition called metabolic acidosis. Excess protons in the blood decrease the amount of HCO3 and thus reduce the buffering capacity of blood. A rapid drop in pH could lead to death. Normal values for blood are: pH = 7.4, [HCO3] = 24.0 mM, [CO2] = 1.20 mM. 6

(a) If a patient has a blood pH = 7.03 and [CO2] = 1.2 mM, what is the [HCO3] in the patient’s blood? The pKa of HCO3= 6.1.

(b) Suggest a possible treatment for metabolic acidosis.

(c) Why might the suggestion for part (b) be of benefit to middle-distance runners?

Explanation / Answer

a) blood is acidic buffer

So pH=pKa+log[CO2]/[HCO3-]

Given pH=7.03,Pka=6.1,[CO2]=1.2 mm

[HCO3-]=0.14mM

b)Treatment of metabolic acidosis by alkali therapy is usually indicated to raise and maintain the plasma pH to greater than 7.20

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