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

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User AndreasT
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1 Answer

3 votes

The kidneys will excrete increased quantities of acid.

Step-by-step 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.

answered
User Andrei Aulaska
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7.8k points
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