Twelve pannels showing two medical students learning about Acid-base balance. This is the conversation for each pannel : ### **Comic Strip: "Kidney Chronicles: Acid-Base Adventures!"** --- #### **Panel 1: Introduction** * **Scene:** Alex and Lisa are sitting at a library table surrounded by textbooks, notebooks, and coffee mugs. * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "Ready for some kidney talk, Lisa? Today’s special: *Acid-Base Balance*!" * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Let’s do it! I’m all ears." --- #### **Panel 2: Metabolic Acidosis** * **Scene:** Close-up of Alex with a kidney diagram showing H+ ions and HCO3-. * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "When metabolic acidosis strikes, kidneys go into superhero mode! They reabsorb bicarbonate and kick H+ ions out into the urine." * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "*Superhero Kidneys!* But what happens to all that H+?" --- #### **Panel 3: H+ Ion Excretion** * **Scene:** H+ ions are shown with legs, marching out of the kidney into a “urine” bucket labeled “H2PO4-” and “NH4+.” * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "The H+ ions get buffered by phosphate and ammonium—teamwork!" * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Kidneys, you’re the real MVP!" --- #### **Panel 4: Chronic Acidosis Response** * **Scene:** A cartoon kidney flexes like a bodybuilder with a “Kidney Power!” caption. * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "In chronic acidosis, kidneys even break down glutamine to make more ammonium and bicarbonate. They’re dedicated!" * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Kidneys don’t mess around!" --- #### **Panel 5: Respiratory Acidosis** * **Scene:** Lisa, thinking hard, has a bubble showing “low pH, high PaCO2.” * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "So, in *respiratory* acidosis? What’s the deal there?" * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "Low pH, high PaCO2. Kidneys are slow to respond but eventually boost bicarbonate to balance things out." --- #### **Panel 6: Rapid Lung Response** * **Scene:** A pair of lungs “exhaling CO2” next to a label that says “metabolic acidosis.” * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "With metabolic acidosis, lungs jump in by blowing off CO2. Instant compensation!" * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Rapid breathing to the rescue—lungs have a superpower too!" --- #### **Panel 7: Anion Gap Detective Work** * **Scene:** Lisa is dressed like Sherlock Holmes, inspecting the word “anion gap” with a magnifying glass. * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "A high anion gap? Think ‘extra acid’ like in diabetic ketoacidosis or salicylate poisoning!" * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "A clue to solving metabolic acidosis mysteries!" --- #### **Panel 8: Respiratory Alkalosis in Pregnancy** * **Scene:** Lisa’s face lights up with a lightbulb above her head. * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Pregnancy! I read progesterone makes you hyperventilate, causing respiratory alkalosis." * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "Exactly! The kidneys excrete bicarbonate to balance things out for both mom and baby." --- #### **Panel 9: Vomiting and Alkalosis** * **Scene:** Lisa has a thought bubble with a small vomit emoji. * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Does vomiting mess with bicarbonate too?" * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "Yep! Severe vomiting causes *hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis,* and RAAS makes it worse by holding onto sodium." --- #### **Panel 10: Diarrhea and Acidosis** * **Scene:** A cartoon intestine labeled “diarrhea” with a bicarbonate symbol moving out. * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "Diarrhea causes non-anion gap metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate loss." * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Got it! *Hyperchloremic acidosis* keeps things balanced." --- #### **Panel 11: The Villainous Type 4 RTA** * **Scene:** A kidney in a superhero cape facing off with a villain labeled “Type 4 RTA.” * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "Type 4 RTA is like the anti-kidney hero, causing hyperkalemia and non-anion gap acidosis from low aldosterone." * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Villainous RTA! I’ll remember that." --- #### **Panel 12: Graduation High-Five** * **Scene:** Alex and Lisa high-five over a table full of notes and diagrams. * **Text Bubble (Alex):** "You’re all set, Lisa! Now you’re ready for any acid-base challenge!" * **Text Bubble (Lisa):** "Thanks, Alex! Kidneys and I are ready for Step 1!" --- This strip captures each concept in a fun, visually engaging way, making acid-base balance easier to remember and more fun to study!

2 months ago