Difference Between HCO3 and CO2

More than 90 percent of CO2 in the human blood is available as the bicarbonate (HCO3) form. The remaining carbon dioxide is either the dissolved form of the gas (CO2) or in carbonic acid form. ... CO2 is converted into carbonic acid which becomes the prime regulator of the acid/base balance in the body.

1. Is CO2 the same as HCO3?
2. Is CO2 high or low in metabolic acidosis?
3. How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide related to one another?
4. What is the difference between pCO2 and CO2?
5. Is HCO3 metabolic or respiratory?
6. What is HCO3 normal range?
7. Which drug increases the risk of metabolic acidosis?
8. What indicates metabolic acidosis?
9. What is the most common cause of metabolic acidosis?
10. What removes carbon dioxide from the bloodstream?
11. Does Kidney remove CO2?
12. How much CO2 is carried in the blood as bicarbonate?

Is CO2 the same as HCO3?

CO2 is carbon dioxide. This article discusses the laboratory test to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the liquid part of your blood, called the serum. In the body, most of the CO2 is in the form of a substance called bicarbonate (HCO3-).

Is CO2 high or low in metabolic acidosis?

For a respiratory acidosis, the pCO2 is greater than 40 to 45 due to decreased ventilation. Metabolic acidosis is due to alterations in bicarbonate, so the pCO2 is less than 40 since it is not the cause of the primary acid-base disturbance.

How are bicarbonate and carbon dioxide related to one another?

Thus, bicarbonate is the primary means by which carbon dioxide is transport occurs throughout the bloodstream according to the equation CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3 --> H+ + HCO3-. ... The carbon dioxide diffuses out of the red blood cells, through the capillary walls, and into the alveolar spaces f exhaled.

What is the difference between pCO2 and CO2?

pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) reflects the the amount of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the blood. ... Someone who is hyperventilating will "blow off" more CO2, leading to lower pCO2 levels. Someone who is holding their breath will retain CO2, leading to increased pCO2 levels.

Is HCO3 metabolic or respiratory?

The PaCO2 is elevated, indicating a respiratory acidosis, and the HCO3 is elevated, indicating a metabolic alkalosis. The value consistent with the pH is the PaCO2. Therefore, this is a primary respiratory acidosis.

What is HCO3 normal range?

Normal Results

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2): 38 to 42 mm Hg (5.1 to 5.6 kPa) Arterial blood pH: 7.38 to 7.42. Oxygen saturation (SaO2): 94% to 100% Bicarbonate (HCO3): 22 to 28 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L)

Which drug increases the risk of metabolic acidosis?

The most common drugs and chemicals that induce the anion gap type of acidosis are biguanides, alcohols, polyhydric sugars, salicylates, cyanide and carbon monoxide.

What indicates metabolic acidosis?

Metabolic Acidosis is defined as a reduced serum pH, and an abnormal serum bicarbonate concentration of <22 mEq/L, below the normal range of 22 to 29 mEq/L. However, if a patient has other coexisting acid-base disorders, the pH level may be low, normal or high in the setting of metabolic acidosis.

What is the most common cause of metabolic acidosis?

The most common causes of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis are gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss, renal tubular acidosis, drugs-induced hyperkalemia, early renal failure and administration of acids.

What removes carbon dioxide from the bloodstream?

The main function of the lungs is gas exchange, to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. When high levels of carbon dioxide are elevated in the blood, it can lead to respiratory failure.

Does Kidney remove CO2?

Your kidneys and lungs balance the levels of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and carbonic acid in the blood. This test measures the level of bicarbonate in a sample of blood from a vein. Bicarbonate is a chemical that acts as a buffer. It keeps the pH of blood from becoming too acidic or too basic.

How much CO2 is carried in the blood as bicarbonate?

Third, the majority of carbon dioxide molecules (85 percent) are carried as part of the bicarbonate buffer system. In this system, carbon dioxide diffuses into the red blood cells. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) within the red blood cells quickly converts the carbon dioxide into carbonic acid (H2CO3) ( H 2 CO 3 ) .