ABG

Question 1

Define Acidemia

Answer 1

Blood pH

Question 2

Define Alkalemia

Answer 2

Blood pH >7.42

Question 3

Define respiratory acidosis and list its causes

Answer 3

Acidosis of the blood due to respiratory dysfunction. Caused by high PaCO2 (hypoventilation) such as opiate overdose

Question 4

Define respiratory alkalosis and list its causes

Answer 4

Alkalosis due to respiratory function, caused by low PaCO2 (hyperventilation). This may be due to pain, anxiety, acute hypoxaemia or sepsis.

Question 5

Define metabolic acidosis

Answer 5

Acidosis due to metabolic dysfunction. Acid gain (diabetic ketoacidosis) or bicarbonate loss (severe diarrhoea)

Question 6

Define metabolic alkalosis and list its causes

Answer 6

Alkalosis due to metabolic dysfunction. Acid loss (vomiting) or bicarbonate gain (metabolic disorders)

Question 7

Lost the factors that affect PaO2 in a normal person

Answer 7

Barometric pressure
FiO2
Age
Pathology

Question 8

State the normal ranges for pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3, BE

Answer 8

pH - 7.38-7.42
PaO2 - 85-100
PaCO2 - 38-42mmHg
HCO3 - 22-26mmol/L
BE - +-2