ABG interpretation

Question 1

ROME

Answer 1

RESPIRATORY = OPPOSITE
METABOLIC = EQUAL

COMPENSATED: NORMAL pH
UNcompensated: NORMAL PaCO2 or HCO3
PARTIALLY compensated: NOTHING is normal

Question 2

pH low, HCO3 low, PaCO2 low

Answer 2

COMPENSATED METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

Question 3

pH high, HCO3 high, PaCO2 high

Answer 3

COMPENSATED METABOLIC ALKALOSIS

Question 4

pH normal, PaCO2 high, HCO3 high

Answer 4

COMPENSATED RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

Question 5

pH normal, PaCO2 low, HCO3 low

Answer 5

COMPENSATED RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS

Question 6

pH low, HCO3 low, PaCO2 normal

Answer 6

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

Question 7

pH high, HCO3 high, PaCO2 normal

Answer 7

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS

Question 8

pH low, PaCO2 high, HCO3 normal

Answer 8

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

Question 9

pH high, PaCO2 low, HCO3 normal

Answer 9

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS

Question 10

3 causes of Metabolic Acidosis

Answer 10

3A metabolic: DKA, Alcohol, AAS poisoning

*also: shock/lactic acidosis

Question 11

3 causes of Metabolic Alkalosis

Answer 11

alKalosis (K): Hypokalaemia, vomiting, loop diuretics

Question 12

3 causes of Respiratory Acidosis

Answer 12

resPiratory ACidosis: Pneumonia, Asthma, COPD

*also: opiate overdose

Question 13

3 causes of Respiratory Alkalosis

Answer 13

3A respirAtory AlkAlosis: Anxiety (panic attack), Asthma, Anaemia

*also: pulmonary embolism

Question 14

Type 1 Respiratory failure

Answer 14

PaO2 low, PaCO2 normal
(hypoxaemia + normocapnia)

Question 15

3 causes of Type 1 Respiratory failure

Answer 15

HyPOxAemia: High altitudes, Pulmonary Oedema, Asthma

Question 16

Type 2 Respiratory failure

Answer 16

PaO2 low, PaCO2 high
(hypoxaemia + hypercapnia)

Question 17

3 causes of Type 2 Respiratory failure

Answer 17

Greater CO2: Guillain-barré syndrome, COpd, Opiates