Acid-Base Balance [Spiral-bound]

Alan Y. Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1989 | ISBN-10: 0910271011 | ISBN-13: 978-0910271011 | Edition: 1

ACID-BASE BALANCE presents a difficult subject in an innovative and easy to understand format. Complex mathematical formulas are replaced by clear color graphics. The pulmonary and renal roles in hydrogen ion regulation are presented in a balanced approach. Electrolyte balance is presented in clear, concise terms, with illustrations. The book contains 127 pages, with 53 illustrations, 43 of which are in color.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

ACID-BASE BALANCE is a must for anyone who practices in the critical care setting, including physicians, nurses, paramedics and EMT's.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION

Acid-base balance has earned a reputation as a difficult subject to understand. This should not be the case. Presented in a logical fashion, with proper attention paid to the basic physiologic and chemical principles involved, acid-base balance should in fact be quite easy to master. This book attempts to "demystify" the subject, an understanding of which is a necessity for those who practice in the critical care setting.

The text is divided into three sections. Section I deals with the basic chemistry and physiology of acid-base balance. Clinical acid-base disturbances are discussed in Section II. Finally, the relationship between acid-base homeostasis and electrolyte balance is described in Section III.

The emphasis in Section I is on buffer systems--what they are and how they work. The dynamic nature of equilibrium systems and their relationship to buffers is also discussed. Pulmonary and renal control of plasma carbon dioxide and bicarbonate is explained. An understanding of topics discussed in Section I provides a foundation for mastery of the material in Section II, the clinical acid-base disturbances.

Four basic derangements of acid-base balance are discussed in Section II (metabolic and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis). Illustrations are used to clarify the underlying processes responsible for each condition. The synergistic action of the kidney and lung in the repair of acid-base disturbances is stressed.

Electrolyte disturbances associated with acid-base derangement are discussed in Section III. Here the focus is on primary and secondary deficiencies in potassium and chloride, usually seen in metabolic alkalosis.

This text focuses on the "basic science" of acid-base homeostasis, the chemistry and physiology involved in maintaining a stable plasma hydrogen ion concentration. As such, it cannot, and indeed should not, serve as a definitive guide for treatment of clinical acid-base and electrolyte disturbances. Many excellent texts are available for this purpose. It is hoped, however, that an understanding of the material presented here will provide those who care for patients suffering acid-base disturbances with a clearer focus on the subject, resulting in more effective treatment.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 126 pages
• Publisher: Critical Care Press; 1 edition (January 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910271011
• ISBN-13: 978-0910271011
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,063,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About time to understand acid-base!, April 25, 2007

By 

Esmail Koushanpour PhD (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acid-Base Balance (Spiral-bound)

Acid-base balance has long been considered a very difficult subject

to understand but it is an every day task for health care

professionals who must evaluate acid-base balance and electrolyte

imbalance in their patients. I really liked this book because it

explains how acids and bases interact in the kidney, lung and total

body in an easy to understand, quantitative and pictorial fashion,

without complicated equations and calculations. This book would be

very useful for anyone involved in health care. It explains the

metabolic pathways that maintain normal electrolyte balance and what

happens to cause electrolyte imbalance when these processes are

altered. It gives some examples of how electrolyte disturbances occur

in conditions such as prolonged diarrhea or diabetes mellitus. By

making it easier to understand the factors that produce electrolyte

disturbance, this book helps the reader understand how to treat or

prevent acid-base imbalance. As an author of a detailed textbook on

renal physiology, I think the unique aspect of this book is that the

material is presented in an easy to understand way while also

providing complete explanations along with written, graphic and

pictorial examples. This book provides a thorough overview of acid-

base balance. As a physiologist and someone who taught acid-base

physiology for over 35 years to all levels of students including

medical students, nursing students and allied health students, I

think anyone involved in any aspect of health care would find this

book helpful to enhance their understanding of acid-base balance and

electrolyte disturbances in the body. I highly recommend this book

for anyone involved in health care.

By: Esmail Koushanpour, Ph.D.

Emeritus Professor, Northwestern University Medical School