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Phys 31

front 1

A 65-year-old man with COPD has chronic CO2 retention. His kidneys gradually increase H+ secretion and HCO3- reabsorption. Which mechanism best explains this response?
A. Type A cells inhibited
B. NH4+ excretion reduced
C. Alveolar CA activated
D. ↑Proximal Na+-H+ countertransport

back 1

D. ↑Proximal Na+-H+ countertransport

front 2

A patient with severe diarrhea develops metabolic acidosis. Which parameter is most likely decreased?
A. Plasma HCO3- level
B. Plasma H+ level
C. Plasma PCO2 level
D. Urine NH4+ excretion

back 2

A. Plasma HCO3- level

front 3

An emphysematous patient is somnolent. ABG: pH 7.28, PCO2 60, HCO3- 27. Best diagnosis?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis

back 3

B. Respiratory acidosis

front 4

In metabolic acidosis, Kussmaul breathing occurs primarily to:
A. Decrease renal H+ excretion
B. Increase renal HCO3 formation
C. Increase tissue O2 extraction
D. Lower PCO2, reduce H+

back 4

D. Lower PCO2, reduce H+

front 5

Hyperventilation during high-altitude exposure most directly causes:
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis

back 5

A. Respiratory alkalosis

front 6

A patient with Conn syndrome develops metabolic alkalosis. Which finding supports the diagnosis?
A. ↓Aldosterone activity
B. ↓HCO3- reabsorption
C. ↑H+ secretion, intercalated
D. Hyperkalemic acidosis

back 6

C. ↑H+ secretion, intercalated

front 7

In diabetic ketoacidosis, the elevated anion gap is primarily due to:
A. Chloride accumulation
B. Unmeasured anions, ketoacids
C. Increased plasma sodium
D. Decreased albumin

back 7

B. Unmeasured anions, ketoacids

front 8

Which buffering system plays the major role inside red blood cells?
A. Phosphate buffer
B. Hemoglobin buffer
C. Ammonia buffer
D. Bicarbonate buffer

back 8

B. Hemoglobin buffer

front 9

In chronic renal failure, metabolic acidosis develops mainly because:
A. Lungs cannot excrete CO2
B. Aldosterone excess persists
C. Nonvolatile acids accumulate
D. HCO3- reabsorption increases

back 9

C. Nonvolatile acids accumulate

front 10

A patient with prolonged vomiting develops hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis. Primary mechanism?
A. Loss of gastric acid
B. Loss of GI bicarbonate
C. Decreased aldosterone
D. Retained gastric acid

back 10

A. Loss of gastric acid

front 11

Which is a primary cause of respiratory acidosis?
A. High-altitude exposure
B. CNS depression
C. Severe anxiety
D. Salicylate poisoning

back 11

B. CNS depression

front 12

What is the renal response to sustained respiratory acidosis?
A. ↓Renal NH4+ synthesis
B. ↓H+ secretion
C. ↑Titratable acid excretion
D. ↑Plasma chloride

back 12

C. ↑Titratable acid excretion

front 13

Which buffer system is especially important for acid excretion in the distal nephron?
A. Hemoglobin buffer
B. Carbonate buffer
C. Phosphate buffer
D. Protein buffer

back 13

C. Phosphate buffer

front 14

In metabolic alkalosis due to diuretic therapy, which secondary change is expected?
A. Hyperventilation
B. ↓PCO2
C. ↑Renal H+ secretion
D. Hypoventilation

back 14

D. Hypoventilation

front 15

The phosphate buffer pK (6.8) makes it ideal for buffering:
A. Intracellular, tubular fluid
B. Arterial blood
C. Interstitial fluid
D. Venous blood

back 15

A. Intracellular, tubular fluid

front 16

Which renal process produces a “new” bicarbonate ion?
A. H+ binds phosphate/ammonia
B. Glomerular HCO3- filtration
C. Na+-HCO3- reabsorption
D. Passive CO2 diffusion

back 16

A. H+ binds phosphate/ammonia

front 17

Which hormone stimulates H+ secretion in cortical collecting ducts?
A. Parathyroid hormone
B. Aldosterone
C. Vasopressin
D. Angiotensin II

back 17

B. Aldosterone

front 18

Chronic metabolic acidosis increases excretion of:
A. HCO3-
B. Cl-
C. NH4+
D. Na+

back 18

C. NH4+

front 19

Salicylate overdose presents early with respiratory alkalosis primarily due to:
A. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition
B. Bicarbonate loss
C. CNS respiratory stimulation
D. Peripheral chemoreceptor suppression

back 19

C. CNS respiratory stimulation

front 20

Which would decrease renal H+ secretion?
A. Increased angiotensin II
B. Elevated aldosterone
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Volume depletion

back 20

C. Hyperkalemia

front 21

A patient develops severe diarrhea. Which acid–base abnormality is most likely?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis

back 21

B. Metabolic acidosis

front 22

Which enzyme catalyzes carbonic acid formation in renal tubular cells?
A. Carbonic anhydrase
B. Aldolase
C. ATP synthase
D. Phosphofructokinase

back 22

A. Carbonic anhydrase

front 23

In metabolic acidosis, renal compensatory responses include:
A. ↑H+ secretion, new HCO3-
B. ↓NH4+ excretion
C. ↓Phosphate buffering
D. ↓Ammoniagenesis

back 23

A. ↑H+ secretion, new HCO3-

front 24

ABG: pH 7.49, PCO2 50, HCO3- 36. Best diagnosis?
A. Mixed alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Normal acid–base

back 24

B. Metabolic alkalosis

front 25

Fanconi syndrome primarily causes:
A. ↓HCO3- reabsorption
B. ↑HCO3- reabsorption
C. ↑Phosphate reabsorption
D. ↓K+ secretion

back 25

A. ↓HCO3- reabsorption

front 26

Lactic acidosis with an anion gap of 24 suggests:
A. Unmeasured anion accumulation
B. Hypoalbuminemia
C. Excess chloride retention
D. Diarrheal bicarbonate loss

back 26

A. Unmeasured anion accumulation

front 27

How are ammonium ions “trapped” in urine?
A. NH4+ diffuses luminally
B. NH3 + H+ → NH4+
C. NH4+ pumped by ATPase
D. NH4+ exchanges with Cl-

back 27

B. NH3 + H+ → NH4+

front 28

"Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis” is best defined as:
A. Increased unmeasured anions
B. Cl- rises as HCO3- falls
C. Hypochloremic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis with chloride

back 28

B. Cl- rises as HCO3- falls

front 29

Renal tubular acidosis is best described as:
A. Lung failure to excrete CO2
B. Excess aldosterone effect
C. Tubular H+ or HCO3- defect
D. Increased protein buffering

back 29

C. Tubular H+ or HCO3- defect

front 30

IV ammonium chloride is given to treat alkalosis. Physiologic effect?
A. Neutralizes plasma H+
B. Suppresses renal acid excretion
C. Liver urea cycle releases HCl
D. Converts to CO2, H2O

back 30

C. Liver urea cycle releases HCl

front 31

A diabetic patient has pH 7.29, HCO3- 12, PCO2 24. Best description?
A. Normal acid–base
B. Mixed alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic acidosis

back 31

D. Metabolic acidosis

front 32

In metabolic acidosis, which change helps restore pH?
A. ↓Alveolar ventilation
B. ↑Plasma PCO2
C. ↑Alveolar ventilation
D. ↓Renal H+ secretion

back 32

C. ↑Alveolar ventilation

front 33

Vomiting of intestinal contents causes metabolic acidosis because of:
A. Loss of intestinal bicarbonate
B. Increased aldosterone secretion
C. Loss of hydrochloric acid
D. Impaired H+ secretion

back 33

A. Loss of intestinal bicarbonate

front 34

Which compensatory mechanism occurs in respiratory alkalosis?
A. ↓Renal H⁺ secretion and ↓HCO₃⁻ reabsorption
B. Increased ventilation
C. ↑Renal acid excretion
D. ↑Carbonic anhydrase activity

back 34

A. ↓Renal H⁺ secretion and ↓HCO₃⁻ reabsorption

front 35

In chronic metabolic acidosis, renal ammonium excretion increases up to:
A. 500 mEq/day
B. 100 mEq/day
C. 200 mEq/day
D. 1000 mEq/day

back 35

A. 500 mEq/day

front 36

The renal response to metabolic alkalosis is to:
A. ↑H+ secretion
B. ↑NH4+ production
C. ↓H+ secretion, excrete HCO3-
D. ↑HCO3- reabsorption

back 36

C. ↓H+ secretion, excrete HCO3-

front 37

Which abnormality is most likely with hyperaldosteronism?
A. Hypernatremic acidosis
B. Hypokalemic alkalosis
C. Hyponatremic acidosis
D. Hyperkalemic acidosis

back 37

B. Hypokalemic alkalosis

front 38

In COPD-related respiratory acidosis, which values are expected?
A. ↓PCO2, ↑pH
B. ↑HCO3-, ↑pH
C. ↓HCO3-, ↑pH
D. ↑PCO2, ↓pH

back 38

D. ↑PCO2, ↓pH

front 39

Which statement best describes how kidneys respond to respiratory acidosis?
A. ↑H+ secretion, new HCO3-
B. ↓HCO3- reabsorption
C. ↓NH4+ excretion
D. ↑Urinary pH

back 39

A. ↑H+ secretion, new HCO3-

front 40

What is the effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibition on acid–base balance?
A. No net acid–base change
B. ↑H+ secretion, alkalosis
C. ↑HCO3- reabs, alkalosis
D. ↓HCO3- reabs, acidosis

back 40

D. ↓HCO3- reabs, acidosis

front 41

A patient with severe lactic acidosis would most likely show:
A. Decreased anion gap
B. Normal anion gap
C. Increased anion gap
D. Increased plasma chloride

back 41

C. Increased anion gap

front 42

Which condition most commonly causes normal anion gap metabolic acidosis?
A. Diarrhea
B. Methanol poisoning
C. Ketoacidosis
D. Lactic acidosis

back 42

A. Diarrhea

front 43

Which is the most powerful acid–base regulatory system?
A. Protein buffer
B. Respiratory center
C. Kidneys
D. Bicarbonate buffer

back 43

C. Kidneys

front 44

ABG: pH 7.55, PCO2 30, HCO3- 22. Which value is primarily driving alkalemia?
A. Elevated HCO3-
B. Elevated PCO2
C. Decreased HCO3-
D. Decreased PCO2

back 44

D. Decreased PCO2

front 45

“New” bicarbonate is added to plasma when:
A. Aldosterone decreases
B. Filtered HCO3- reabsorbs
C. H+ binds phosphate/ammonia
D. Unbuffered H+ excretes

back 45

C. H+ binds phosphate/ammonia

front 46

Which would produce respiratory acidosis?
A. Anxiety hyperventilation
B. High-altitude ascent
C. Carbonic anhydrase inhibition
D. Airway obstruction

back 46

D. Airway obstruction

front 47

Why is the bicarbonate buffer effective despite pK 6.1?
A. Acts only intracellularly
B. CO2 and HCO3- regulated
C. Concentrated inside RBCs
D. Minimal buffering required

back 47

B. CO2 and HCO3- regulated

front 48

In metabolic acidosis, respiratory compensation begins in:
A. Minutes
B. Days
C. Seconds
D. Hours

back 48

A. Minutes

front 49

Which finding differentiates metabolic alkalosis from respiratory alkalosis?
A. Decreased PCO2
B. Decreased plasma pH
C. Increased plasma HCO3-
D. Normal HCO3-

back 49

C. Increased plasma HCO3-

front 50

During chronic acidosis, urinary ammonium excretion:
A. Decreases below normal
B. Increases dramatically
C. Converts to urea, retained
D. Remains unchanged

back 50

B. Increases dramatically

front 51

Which of the following is a cause of metabolic alkalosis?
A. Loop diuretics
B. Chronic renal failure
C. Severe diarrhea
D. Emphysema

back 51

A. Loop diuretics

front 52

ABG: pH 7.31, PCO2 45, HCO3- 22. Primary disturbance is:
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis

back 52

B. Respiratory acidosis

front 53

Which lab finding suggests compensation in respiratory acidosis?
A. Decreased plasma bicarbonate
B. Increased plasma bicarbonate
C. Increased plasma chloride
D. Decreased plasma PCO2

back 53

B. Increased plasma bicarbonate

front 54

Major nonvolatile acids requiring renal excretion are:
A. Carbonic acid
B. Sulfuric and phosphoric acids
C. Lactic acid
D. Nitric acid

back 54

B. Sulfuric and phosphoric acids

front 55

A “mixed” acid–base disorder means:
A. Compensation is complete
B. Only one system acts
C. Metabolic and respiratory exclude
D. Two primary disorders coexist

back 55

D. Two primary disorders coexist

front 56

In Addison disease (low aldosterone), expected acid–base disturbance:
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis

back 56

B. Metabolic acidosis

front 57

After rapid ascent to high altitude, the earliest arterial change is:
A. Increased HCO3-
B. Increased chloride
C. Increased PCO2
D. Decreased PCO2

back 57

D. Decreased PCO2

front 58

Immediate buffer response to sudden extracellular H+ increase:
A. Increased renal H+ secretion
B. Decreased CO2 production
C. Increased NH4+ formation
D. ↑H+ binding to buffers

back 58

D. ↑H+ binding to buffers

front 59

COPD patient receives high-flow O2 and retains CO2. Acid–base change?
A. Mixed metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis

back 59

D. Respiratory acidosis

front 60

Most appropriate immediate therapy for severe metabolic acidosis:
A. Oral NH4Cl
B. Fluid restriction
C. IV sodium bicarbonate
D. Beta-agonists

back 60

C. IV sodium bicarbonate

front 61

Which renal process prevents bicarbonate loss without creating “new” bicarbonate?
A. Reabsorb filtered HCO3-
B. Excrete unbuffered H+
C. Secrete H+ to ammonia
D. Secrete H+ to phosphate

back 61

A. Reabsorb filtered HCO3-

front 62

After days of respiratory alkalosis, kidneys primarily:
A. Increase NH4+ excretion
B. Increase H+ secretion
C. Increase HCO3- reabs
D. Decrease HCO3- reabs

back 62

D. Decrease HCO3- reabs

front 63

The pK of the bicarbonate buffer system is:
A. 7.4
B. 6.1
C. 6.8
D. 5.6

back 63

B. 6.1

front 64

In hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis from vomiting, which plasma change is expected?
A. Decreased chloride
B. Increased chloride
C. Decreased sodium
D. Increased phosphate

back 64

A. Decreased chloride

front 65

Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis typically features a:
A. Decreased anion gap
B. Increased anion gap
C. Negative anion gap
D. Normal anion gap

back 65

D. Normal anion gap

front 66

Diabetic ketoacidosis classically produces:
A. Normal gap alkalosis
B. Normal gap acidosis
C. High gap alkalosis
D. High gap acidosis

back 66

D. High gap acidosis

front 67

For ammonium trapping, which species diffuses most readily into tubular lumen?
A. NH4+
B. NH3
C. HCO3-
D. Cl-

back 67

B. NH3

front 68

Salicylate toxicity classically presents as:
A. Respiratory acidosis only
B. Metabolic alkalosis only
C. Mixed alkalosis
D. Metabolic acidosis + resp alkalosis

back 68

D. Metabolic acidosis + resp alkalosis

front 69

Respiratory compensation for metabolic alkalosis tends to:
A. Decrease HCO3-
B. Decrease chloride
C. Decrease PCO2
D. Increase PCO2

back 69

D. Increase PCO2

front 70

In hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, plasma chloride is usually:
A. Decreased
B. Unchanged
C. Increased
D. Undetectable

back 70

C. Increased