Moderate
To keep blood PH at 7.4 the HCO3 : H2CO3 ratio should be_____________?
Correct answer: A. 20 : 1
- A. 20 : 1
- B. 30 : 1
- C. 15 : 1
- D. 1 : 1
Explanation
The bicarbonate buffer equation is pH = 6.1 + log([HCO3−]/[H2CO3]); at pH 7.4, the ratio is 10^1.3, approximately 20:1. This ratio is maintained by coordinated respiratory removal of CO2 and renal regulation of bicarbonate.
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