Metabolic (Renal) Compensation (Kidneys)

• What do the kidneys retain during respiratory acidosis?

  HCO₃⁻ (bicarbonate)
• What is the effect of the kidneys retaining HCO₃⁻ during respiratory acidosis?

  It increases the pH
• What do the kidneys excrete during respiratory alkalosis?

  HCO₃⁻ (bicarbonate)
• What is the effect of the kidneys excreting HCO₃⁻ during respiratory alkalosis?

  It decreases the pH
• What happens to CO₂ levels during respiratory acidosis?

  CO₂ levels increase due to retention
• How does increased CO₂ affect pH in respiratory acidosis?

  It decreases pH by forming carbonic acid
• What is the compensation mechanism for respiratory acidosis?

  Kidneys retain HCO₃⁻ and excrete H⁺
• What is a sign of chronic lung diseases like COPD?

  High HCO₃⁻ levels in blood
• What does compensation refer to in acid-base disorders?

  • Body's attempt to correct pH imbalances
  • Involves respiratory or metabolic mechanisms
  • Can be uncompensated, partially compensated, or fully compensated
• What characterizes an uncompensated acid-base disorder?

  pH is abnormal, one other value is abnormal
• What characterizes a partially compensated acid-base disorder?

  pH is abnormal, both values are abnormal
• What characterizes a fully compensated acid-base disorder?

  pH is normal, both values are abnormal
• How do the abnormal values in fully compensated disorders relate to the primary disorder?

  They are in the opposite direction of the primary disorder