2. Mrs. Roberts, in a diabetic coma, has just been admitted to Noble Hospital. Her blood pH indicates that she is in severe acid
osis, and measures are quickly instituted to bring her blood pH back within normal limits. (a) Define pH and note the normal pH of blood. (b) Why is severe acidosis a problem?
a) The pH can be define as the measurement of the hydrogen or hydroxide ion concentration in a solution. The pH for blood is 7.4. In severe acidosis condition the pH of blood is 7.35 or lower.
b) Severe acidosis is a condition which is caused due to the overproduction of acid and building up of acid in the blood. This occurs due to the excessive loss of bicarbonate from the blood or buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. This leads to poor functioning of the lungs and depressed breathing.
The severe acidosis is critical condition because because it can adversely affect the cell membranes, muscle contraction, and function of the kidneys and neural activity of the body.
