hydrogen potassium exchange

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i have been learning that intracellular potassium is exchanged with hydrogen during acidosis. since they are both positive ions, i don't see how this can help. it seems like a potassium cation would steal electrons in the same way a hydrogen cation would. i thought maybe one of you smarty pants would have some insight.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

Insulting people by balling them "smarty pants" is really not a good way to ask for help.

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What happens to the number of hydrogen ions during acidosis... What is the major intracellular cation? What happens when you have areas of lesser concentrations and areas of higher concentrations?

If you think about those 3 questions -- you should be able to figure out why there would be a shift in potassium and hydrogen at the cellular level during acidosis.

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Insulting people by balling them "smarty pants" is really not a good way to ask for help.

Lol... You're kidding...right?

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Specializes in CVICU.
Insulting people by balling them "smarty pants" is really not a good way to ask for help.

I am trying to rationalize why you, or anyone else, could possibly interpret 'smarty pants' as ever being an insult. I am not having any luck.

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