Hypoxemia with respiratory alkalosis

[TheFuture09]

I am doing ABG's, its confusing already, but i was going to ask what are your simple "abc" explanations for "hypoxemia" being the primary cause of respiratory alkalosis.

I want the causes to make more sense to me,and the calcuations, but im working on it, day by day, ill get it hopefully.

[BahoRN]

hyperventilation = breathing too fast

breathing to fast= blowing off all your CO2 AND reducing O2 intake

blowing off CO2 = alkalosis

reduced O2 intake = hypoxemia

Or

hypoxemia = trying to take in more O2

therefore you breath faster

therefore you blow off your CO2

therefor you become alkalotic

hope that helps?

[TheFuture09]

Yes that does help, wow! Howcome I cant think like that when needed! Appreciate your explanation. I may ask more questions this topic just doesnt sink somehow. but step by step, i have faith.

[BahoRN]

Anytime :)

Glad to help

[TheFuture09]

Thanks again! Okay i have another question, when we refer to "metabolic" overall are talking about whats in the stomach? I get confused with where is the actual acid buildup?.......and also when we talk about respiratory acidosis, does that mean acid is the lungs? ...i might be making it sound bad, but its just wanna clear understanding of that to.

[TheFuture09]

How do you get Bradypnea, Hypotenstion, Dysthrysmias, Confusion, HA, Blurred vision, Somnolence leading to coma...in Acidosis, can u explain like u did you the first one. if possible?

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Metabolic acidosi/alkalosis is based in the kidneys - by absorption/excretion of bicarb/hydrogen ions.

Respiratory is based in lungs - CO2 is an acid.

[BahoRN]

Thanks again! Okay i have another question, when we refer to "metabolic" overall are talking about whats in the stomach? I get confused with where is the actual acid buildup?.......and also when we talk about respiratory acidosis, does that mean acid is the lungs? ...i might be making it sound bad, but its just wanna clear understanding of that to.

metabolic = kidneys are root cause (compensating or decompensating) = takes longer but more effective/damaging.

respiratory = lungs are root cause (compensating or decompensating) = immediate results and easier to reverse damaging effects

however, left untreated, both are deadly.

the actual acid build up or bicarb build up is in the blood stream and is system wide with systemic effects

[BahoRN]

How do you get Bradypnea, Hypotenstion, Dysthrysmias, Confusion, HA, Blurred vision, Somnolence leading to coma...in Acidosis, can u explain like u did you the first one. if possible?

Acidosis = body cells laking enough oxygen

hungry for O2 the vasculature opens up demanding more O2 =hypotenstion

hypotenstion =increased lack of O2 to brain =confusion, headache, blurred vision

heart cells hungry for O2 can't pump as fast and need to slow down =bradycardia

just like the brain, the heart gets confused without O2 and skips beats =arrhythmias

no O2 =suffocation = coma

[TheFuture09]

Howcome in Alkalosis you have "pulmonary emboli" but in acidosis have alot of respiratory things like "pneumonia", "COPD" it kind of sounds like "p emboli" can go with acidosis

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

Howcome in Alkalosis you have "pulmonary emboli" but in acidosis have alot of respiratory things like "pneumonia", "COPD" it kind of sounds like "p emboli" can go with acidosis

What exactly are you asking?

"In alkalosis you have pulmonary emboli" is nonsensical. Are you, instead, asking how pulmonary emboli can lead to alkalosis?

If so, consider that respiratory alkalosis is always associated wtih hyperventilation and that a patient with pulmonary emboli is often found in respiratory distress with an elevated respiratory rate.

[BahoRN]

Howcome in Alkalosis you have "pulmonary emboli" but in acidosis have alot of respiratory things like "pneumonia", "COPD" it kind of sounds like "p emboli" can go with acidosis

I agree with the previous post in that I'm not sure what you're asking.

COPD =physiological changes that lessen oxygenation (raising CO2)

Pnuemonia =mechanical obstruction lessening oxygenation (raising CO2)

both can end up causing acidosis

Pulmonary emboli = respiratory distress = breathing too fast (blowing off Co2) = alkalosis

Always imagine what your patient looks like.

breathing too fast = blowing off CO2 = alkalosis

:imbar breathing too slow = retaining too much CO2 = acidosis