The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is a mathematical expression of the
relationship between \(\mathrm{pH}, \mathrm{HCO}_{3}{ }^{-}\)concentration, and
dissolved \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) concentration. One variant of the equation uses
\(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}\) instead of dissolved \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\)
concentration:
$$
\mathrm{pH}=6.1+\log \frac{\left[\mathrm{HCO}_{3}{ }^{-}\right]}{0.03 \times
\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}}
$$
a. If arterial blood has a \(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}\) of \(40 \mathrm{~mm}
\mathrm{Hg}\) and its \(\mathrm{HCO}_{3}{ }^{-}\)concentration is \(24
\mathrm{mM}\), what is its \(\mathrm{pH}\) ? (Use a log table or calculator with
a logarithmic function capability.)
b. What is the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of venous blood with the same \(\mathrm{HCO}_{3}{
}^{-}\)concentration but a \(\mathrm{P}_{\mathrm{CO}_{2}}\) of \(46 \mathrm{~mm}
\mathrm{Hg}\) ?