ABG Flashcards

1
Q

ABG’s Provide information on:

A
  • Acid-base status of blood
  • O2 & CO2 levels
  • Ventilation
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2
Q

pH Values

A

Range: 7.35-7.45
< 7.35 = Acidosis
Greater than 7.45 = Alkalosis

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3
Q

PaCO2 Value

A

Range 35-45 mm Hg
Greater than 45 mm Hg = Acidosis (hypoventilation)
<35 mm Hg = Alkalosis (hyperventilation)

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4
Q

PaO2 Value

A

80-100 mm Hg

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5
Q

HCO3- Value

A

Range 22-27
<22 = Acidosis
Greater than 27 = Alkalosis

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6
Q

What is respiratory acidosis caused by?

A

Hypoventilation

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7
Q

Respiratory Alkalosis is caused by what?

A

Hyperventilation

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8
Q

What is metabolic acidosis caused by?

A

Kidney Disease

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9
Q

What is metabolic alkalosis caused by?

A
  • Excessive Vomiting
  • Loss of K+
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10
Q

What are the three ways the body compensates for imbalances?

A
  1. Buffer in body fluids
  2. Respiratory system (Hyper/Hypo)
  3. Kidneys
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11
Q

6 Steps for ABG Interpretation

A
  1. Is the pH normal?
  2. Is the PaCO2 normal?
  3. Is the HCO3 normal?
  4. Match the pH status with PaCO2 or HCO3 (respiratory or metabolic cause)
  5. Does the other (PaCO2 or HCO3) go in the opposite direction (Compensated/Uncompensated)
  6. Are the PaO2 and the O2 Sat Normal? (>80 Normal; < 80 Hypoxemia)
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12
Q

Match the PaCO2 or HCO3 to pH

A

Match (link) the pH (acidic or alkalotic) with the Pa CO2 or HCO3 that is acidic or alkalotic

  • If pH is acidotic (<7.35) and Pa CO2 is acidotic (Greater than 45) then it is due to respiratory; respiratory acidosis
    OR
  • If pH is acidotic (<7.35) and HCO3 is acidotic (<22) then it is due to metabolic; metabolic acidosis
  • If pH is alkalotic (Greater than 7.45) and PaCO2 is alkalotic (<35) then it is respiratory; respiratory alkalosis OR
  • If pH is alkalotic (Greater than 7.45) and HCO3 is alkalotic (Greater than 27) then it is metabolic; metabolic alkalosis
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13
Q

Does PaCO2 or HCO3 go in the opposite direction of pH?

A
  • Identify the respiratory or metabolic variable that did not match the pH (Pa CO2 or HCO3)
  • If Pa CO2 or HCO3 goes in opposite direction from the pH there is compensation

Example:
pH = acidotic (<7.35)
Pa CO2 = acidotic (Greater than 45)
HCO3 = alkalotic not normal (Greater than 27)
Pa CO2 matches pH = respiratory acidosis
HCO3 opposite of pH
Compensation by metabolic system

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14
Q

PaO2 and O2 Sat

A

PaO2
* Less than 80 (normal 80-100 mm Hg) – evidence of hypoxemia

O2 Sat
* O2 Sat should be less than 95% if PaO2 less than 80
* O2 Sat of 95-100% = PaO2 80-100 mmHg

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15
Q

Hb and Hematocrit Values

A

Hb (transport O2)
* Men: 14-18 g/dL
* Women: 12-16 g/dL

Hematocrit (Ratio of volume in blood to RBC)
* Males: 42-52%
* Females: 37-48%

Hematocrit is often 3 times the Hb

H & H stands for Hb and Hematocrit

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16
Q

Low Hb and Hematocrit levels result in:

A

Hb:
* < 8 = most likely no exercise but in some cases yes
* 8-10 = gentle exercise
* Greater than 10 = no restrictions
* Low Hgb - anemia, reduced exercise tolerance, significant fatigue and tachycardia

Hematocrit:
* SOB
* Dyspnea
* Tachycardia
* Fatigue
* Muscle cramping
* O2 Sat reading is hard to get

17
Q

Respiratory compensation for a metabolic disorder takes ____

A

minutes to hours

Due to the lungs being able to adjust

18
Q

Metabolic compensation for a respiratory disorder take ____

A

days