Acidosis

A condition in which hydrogen ion concentration is increased in the body and the PH falls below normal. There are two types of acidosis: Respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis.

A. Respiratory Acidosis
Cause:
- Hypoventilation related to acute and chronic pulmonary
diseases
- Circulatory failure
- Depression of CNS
- Drugs such as atrophine
- Gulian Bari syndrome
- Poliomalititis
- Decreased or increased potassium in the blood

B. Metabolic Acidosis
Cause:
- Increased acid production
- Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- Increased alcohol intake
- Excessive administration of drugs e.g ASA, Amonium Chloride
- Renal Failure
- Dehydration
- Sever diarrhea and vomiting

Common signs and symptoms for respiratory acidosis
- Restlessness, apprehensive, slow mental response, weakness, headache, confusion 􀀅 coma. PH is < 7.35
- Decreased bicarbonate
- Increased arterial CO2 and decreased O2
- Increased urine acidity
- Increased ammonium in urine
- Low PH in urine

Metabolic Acidosis
Headache, fatigue, drowsiness
Serum PH < 7.35
Serum bicarbonate is low
Depression in CNS
Increased respiration

Nursing Intervention
- Improve respiratory ventilation (e.g., administer bronchial dilators, antibiotic oxygen as ordered.
- Maintain adequate hydration (2 to 3 L of fluid prerday)
- Carefully regulate mechanical ventilation if used.
- Monitor fluid in take and out put, vital signs, arterial blood gases (ABGs), and PH