Question

A client has experienced excessive losses of bicarbonate and has subsequently developed an acid–base imbalance. How will this lost bicarbonate be replaced?

Answer 1

The kidneys will excrete increased quantities of acid.

Explanation:

The kidneys will excrete excess H+ ions in the blood (remember H+ ions are responsible for acidity) until the acid-base balance is restored in the blood. Bicarbonates, on the other hand, will be aggressively  reabsorbed by the renal tubules as the excess H+ are being excreted.

The acid base balance is mainly determined by the quantities of H⁺ and HCO₃⁻ ions in teh blood. These ions come from the dissociation of carbonic acid formed when carbon dioxide from tissues is dissolved in blood plasma.