[skye7]

i have a question about acidosis/alkalosis...

if the patient is experiencing respiratory acidosis, what would the potassium level be? would it be higher, lower, or normal?? and please explain why..

it was explained to me before, but for some reason i'm again totally clueless.. thanks!

[haleysmum]

I think this is how it goes....in acidosis, increased co2 and H+ stimulate the respiratory center in the brain and respiratory rate increases. This stimualtes the kidneys to conserve bicarb and NA, and to dump H+. When the H+ gets this high, its sent back into the cells, so K+ has to move out. So serum concentrations of K+ rise. And then you get your arrythmias and the cardiac function goes out of whack. In alkalosis, the opposite happens...H+ goes into the serum and K+ goes back into the cells. So the pt wil be HYPOkalemic! I had an awful time in school with F&E. Its hard to wrap your head around. Hope this helps!