Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Test with focused study methods including flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Practice with hints and detailed explanations to boost your readiness for the exam.

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During an acidotic state, the kidneys attempt to maintain a normal pH by:

Excreting bicarbonate
Retaining bicarbonate
Increased urine production
Enhancing tubular secretion of potassium

The correct answer is: Retaining bicarbonate

In an acidotic state, the body has an excess of hydrogen ions, which lowers the pH of the blood. The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance, and their response in this situation is to retain bicarbonate. Bicarbonate acts as a buffer, neutralizing acids in the blood and helping to increase the pH back towards normal levels. By conserving bicarbonate, the kidneys increase the concentration of this alkaline substance, which helps to counteract the acidity and stabilize the overall pH. This physiological response is essential for restoring balance after an acidosis state, making it an effective strategy for the kidneys to correct the acid-base disturbance. Other mechanisms might involve enhancing the excretion of hydrogen ions, but the primary function concerning the retention of bicarbonate is critical in managing the pH fluctuations associated with acidosis.