What are the basic states of acid-base balance?

What are the basic states of acid-base balance?

• A. Acidosis and alkalosis
• B. Acids and bases
• C. Hypoxia and hyperoxia
• D. Neutral pH state

Answer: (A)

In acid-base balance, the body keeps the blood pH within a narrow range, about 7.35 to 7.45. When this balance shifts, the basic states are acidosis and alkalosis. Acidosis means the pH is below normal, and it can arise from respiratory causes (excess CO2 from inadequate ventilation) or metabolic causes (loss of bicarbonate or buildup of acids). Alkalosis means the pH is above normal, and it can occur from respiratory reasons (too little CO2 from overexcessive breathing) or metabolic reasons (gain of bicarbonate or loss of acids). The other options refer to things that aren’t the defining states of acid-base balance—acids and bases are chemical substances, hypoxia/hyperoxia concern oxygen levels, and a neutral pH state isn’t a designated clinical state.

In acid-base balance, the body keeps the blood pH within a narrow range, about 7.35 to 7.45. When this balance shifts, the basic states are acidosis and alkalosis. Acidosis means the pH is below normal, and it can arise from respiratory causes (excess CO2 from inadequate ventilation) or metabolic causes (loss of bicarbonate or buildup of acids). Alkalosis means the pH is above normal, and it can occur from respiratory reasons (too little CO2 from overexcessive breathing) or metabolic reasons (gain of bicarbonate or loss of acids). The other options refer to things that aren’t the defining states of acid-base balance—acids and bases are chemical substances, hypoxia/hyperoxia concern oxygen levels, and a neutral pH state isn’t a designated clinical state.