Acidemia is defined by which change in the blood?

Acidemia is defined by which change in the blood?

• A. Increased H ions in blood
• B. Decreased H ions in blood
• C. Increased bicarbonate in blood
• D. Decreased carbon dioxide in blood

Answer: (A)

Acidemia occurs when the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood increases, lowering the blood’s pH to a more acidic level. This direct rise in H+ makes the environment more acidic, which is why the description of increased hydrogen ions in the blood is the correct choice. Decreasing hydrogen ions would raise pH (less acidic), increased bicarbonate buffers acidity and tends to raise pH, and lower CO2 reduces carbonic acid which also tends to raise pH.

Acidemia occurs when the hydrogen ion concentration in the blood increases, lowering the blood’s pH to a more acidic level. This direct rise in H+ makes the environment more acidic, which is why the description of increased hydrogen ions in the blood is the correct choice. Decreasing hydrogen ions would raise pH (less acidic), increased bicarbonate buffers acidity and tends to raise pH, and lower CO2 reduces carbonic acid which also tends to raise pH.