Which term refers to the body's adjustment to restore balance in acid-base status?

• A. Body adjusting to restore balance
• B. Compensation
• C. Regulation of pH
• D. Normal Blood pH

Answer: (B)

Compensation is the body's corrective response to an acid-base disturbance, aiming to bring pH back toward normal. When a disturbance shifts pH, the lungs or kidneys adjust their activity to offset the change: respiratory compensation changes ventilation to alter CO2 levels, while metabolic (renal) compensation adjusts bicarbonate handling to adjust the pH. For example, if CO2 is elevated and causes respiratory acidosis, the kidneys increase bicarbonate reabsorption and hydrogen ion excretion to raise pH. If a metabolic disturbance lowers pH, the lungs can blow off more CO2 to raise pH. This targeted adjustment to restore balance is what “compensation” describes, whereas simply regulating pH is the ongoing maintenance, normal blood pH is the goal value, and the phrase describing the adjustment without naming the process is less precise.