ABG Flashcards
What is the normal range for blood pH?
7.35 to 7.45
Blood pH is a crucial indicator of acid-base balance in the body.
What is the normal range for PaCO2?
35 to 45 mmHg
PaCO2 is a respiratory determinant and reflects carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
What is the normal range for PaO2?
75 to 100 mmHg
PaO2 measures the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.
What is the normal range for HCO3?
22 to 26 mEq/L
HCO3 is a metabolic determinant and indicates bicarbonate levels in the blood.
What is the normal range for oxygen saturation?
94–100%
Oxygen saturation indicates the percentage of hemoglobin binding sites in the bloodstream occupied by oxygen.
What is the normal range for base excess?
–2 to +2 mmol/L
Base excess indicates the amount of excess or insufficient level of bicarbonate in the system.
What are the three goals of arterial blood gas analysis?
- Determine if values indicate ACIDOSIS or ALKALOSIS
- Determine if values define METABOLIC or RESPIRATORY
- Determine the compensation: FULLY COMPENSATED, PARTIALLY COMPENSATED, or UNCOMPENSATED
These goals guide the interpretation of ABG results.
What is the first step in ABG analysis using the tic-tac-toe method?
Memorize the normal values
Familiarity with normal values is essential for accurate interpretation.
What should be done after memorizing the normal values in ABG analysis?
Create a blank tic-tac-toe grid
Label the top row as ACIDOSIS, NORMAL, and ALKALOSIS.
If blood pH is between 7.35 to 7.39, how should it be categorized?
NORMAL but SLIGHTLY ACIDOSIS
This indicates a slight deviation towards acidity.
If blood pH is below 7.35, how should it be categorized?
ACIDOSIS
Values below 7.35 indicate a more significant acidotic state.
If PaCO2 is below 35, where should it be placed in the tic-tac-toe grid?
ALKALOSIS
This indicates a basic or alkaline state of carbon dioxide.
If HCO3 is above 26, where should it be placed in the tic-tac-toe grid?
ALKALOSIS
This indicates an excess of bicarbonate in the blood.
What does it mean if pH is under the same column as PaCO2?
It is RESPIRATORY
This indicates that the respiratory system is contributing to the acid-base imbalance.
What does it mean if pH is under the same column as HCO3?
It is METABOLIC
This indicates that metabolic processes are influencing the acid-base status.
What indicates FULLY COMPENSATED conditions?
pH is normal
This suggests that the body has adequately compensated for the acid-base disturbance.
What indicates PARTIALLY COMPENSATED conditions?
All three values are abnormal
This suggests that the body is attempting to compensate, but has not fully succeeded.
What indicates UNCOMPENSATED conditions?
PaCO2 or HCO3 is normal and the other is abnormal
This indicates a failure to compensate for the acid-base disturbance.
What is the first practice problem’s pH value?
Practice Problem #1:
pH=7.26 | PaCO2=32 | HCO3=18
7.26
This value is used to determine acid-base status in the practice problem.
In the practice problem, where should PaCO2 of 32 be placed?
Practice Problem #1:
pH=7.26 | PaCO2=32 | HCO3=18
ALKALOSIS
This indicates a basic state for carbon dioxide in the blood.
In the practice problem, where should HCO3 of 18 be placed?
Practice Problem #1:
pH=7.26 | PaCO2=32 | HCO3=18
ACIDOSIS
This indicates an acidotic state for bicarbonate levels.
What does the problem indicate?
Practice Problem #1:
pH=7.26 | PaCO2=32 | HCO3=18
Metabolic Acidosis, partially compensated
Practice Problem #2:
pH=7.44 | PaCO2=30 | HCO3=21
Respiratory Alkalosis, Fully Compensated
Practice Problem #3:
pH=7.1 | PaCO2=40 | HCO3=18
Metabolic Acidosis, Uncompensated
