Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is indicated by acidosis in terms of pH and bicarbonate levels?

1. Increase in pH and HCO3

2. Decrease in pH and increase in HCO3

3. Decrease in pH and decrease in HCO3

4. Increase in pH and decrease in CO2

The correct answer is: Decrease in pH and decrease in HCO3

Acidosis is a condition in which the body fluids become excessively acidic, leading to a decrease in arterial blood pH. A pH lower than 7.35 indicates acidosis, which can occur due to different underlying mechanisms, such as an accumulation of acid or a loss of bicarbonate. In a state of metabolic acidosis, bicarbonate (HCO3) levels are typically reduced. This is because the body is either losing bicarbonate or utilizing it to buffer excess acid, resulting in a decrease in HCO3. In respiratory acidosis, which occurs due to an accumulation of carbon dioxide, while bicarbonate levels can initially be normal, over time they will compensate, indicating an adjustment to chronic respiratory issues. Therefore, in acidosis, both the pH decreases and bicarbonate levels also decrease. This is what aligns perfectly with the correct answer, as it encapsulates a fundamental understanding of how metabolic and respiratory imbalances operate in a clinical setting, making it important for practitioners to recognize these associations in patient evaluations.