provide the diagnosis and create a diagram that shows how the renal system would compensate to bring the body back to normal.

Question

In your diagram, make sure to include at least:

1. Renal tubules, arterioles, bicarbonate buffer, H⁺ ions

ABGs:

pH - 7.35

pCO₂ - 50 mmHg

HCO₃^- 29 mEq/L

Brian recently went to the doctor due to symptoms of headaches, anxiety, vision impairment, and confusion. After performing some diagnostic tests the Doctor received the following results in regards to blood pH, pCO₂. The Doctor also found this situation to be chronic rather than acute.

Answer 1

Based on the provided information, Brian is experiencing respiratory acidosis. This occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough CO2, leading to an accumulation of carbonic acid and a decrease in blood pH. The high pCO2 level in the blood and the low pH indicate this condition.

To compensate for respiratory acidosis, the renal system works to reabsorb bicarbonate (HCO3-) and excrete hydrogen ions (H+) into the urine. This helps to balance the pH by removing excess acid from the body. The following diagram illustrates how the renal system compensates for respiratory acidosis:

[Diagram]

In the renal tubules, the enzyme carbonic anhydrase converts H2O and CO2 into carbonic acid (H2CO3), which then dissociates into bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions (H+). Bicarbonate is reabsorbed into the bloodstream through the peritubular capillaries, while H+ ions are excreted into the urine. The H+ ions combine with buffers in the urine to form water and carbon dioxide, which can be exhaled by the lungs.

By increasing the reabsorption of bicarbonate and the excretion of hydrogen ions, the renal system can help to bring the pH back towards normal levels in cases of respiratory acidosis.

Answer 2

Based on the given ABG values, this metabolic alkalosis with respiratory compensation.

To compensate for metabolic alkalosis, the renal system increases the excretion of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) through the renal tubules. This is achieved by decreasing the reabsorption of filtered HCO3- in the proximal tubules and increasing the secretion of HCO3- in the distal tubules. This results in a decrease in the amount of HCO3- in the blood, which helps to lower the pH.