ABG Lab Values

Question 1

What is the normal pH range for arterial blood?

Answer 1

7.35 - 7.45

Question 2

What is the normal range for

• PaCO2 = ?
• PaO2 = ?

Answer 2

• PaCO2 = 35 - 45 mmHg
• PaO2 = 80 - 100 mmHg

Question 3

What is the normal range for HCO3-?

Answer 3

22 - 26 mEq/L

Question 4

What is the normal range for SaO2?

Answer 4

95-100%

Question 5

Define acidemia.

Answer 5

Elevated acidity of blood (pH < 7.35)

Question 6

Define alkalemia.

Answer 6

Decreased acidity of blood (pH > 7.45)

Question 7

What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation used for?

Answer 7

To describe the inverse relationship between pH and PaCO2.

Question 8

How does the body regulate pH immediately?

Answer 8

Blood buffers (proteins and phosphates)

Question 9

How does the body regulate CO2?

Answer 9

Through the lungs by adjusting ventilation.

Question 10

How does the body regulate bicarbonate (HCO3-)?

Answer 10

Through the kidneys, which can take hours to respond.

Question 11

What is hypoxemia?

Answer 11

Low O2 in arterial blood.

Question 12

Hypoxemia vs. hypoxia = ?

Answer 12

• Hypoxemia = low O2 in arterial blood
• Hypoxia = low O2 in tissues

Question 13

What PaO2 level indicates

• mild hypoxemia = ?
• moderate hypoxemia = ?
• severe hypoxemia = ?

Answer 13

Mild hypoxemia

• 60 – 79 mm Hg
• SaO2 90% - 95%

Moderate hypoxemia

• 40 – 59 mm Hg
• SaO2 60% – 90%

Severe hypoxemia

• PaO2 < 40 mm Hg
• SaO2 < 60%

Question 14

What are steps 1-5 in ABG analysis?

Answer 14

• 1st = Examine pH to assess acid-base balance.
• 2nd = Examine the PaCO2 as an indicator of ventilatory status.
• 3rd = Interpret PaCO2 in relation to pH.
• 4th = Interpret the HCO3- in relation to pH.
• 5th = Interpret the PaO2 and SaO2

Question 15

What does a pH < 7.35 indicate?

Answer 15

Acidemia

Question 16

What does a pH > 7.45 indicate?

Answer 16

Alkalemia

Question 17

Define respiratory acidosis.

Answer 17

Respiratory Acidosis: A condition where the lungs fail to remove CO2 efficiently, leading to acidemia.

Question 18

Define respiratory alkalosis.

Answer 18

Respiratory Alkalosis: A condition where the lungs remove too much CO2, leading to alkalemia.

Question 19

Define metabolic acidosis.

Answer 19

Metabolic Acidosis: A condition where excess acid is produced or bicarbonate is lost, leading to acidemia.

Question 20

Define metabolic alkalosis.

Answer 20

Metabolic Alkalosis: A condition where there is excess bicarbonate or loss of acid, leading to alkalemia.

Question 21

What does compensation mean in ABG analysis?

Answer 21

It refers to one system (respiratory or metabolic) trying to correct the pH imbalance caused by the other.

Question 22

What is the difference between acute and chronic conditions in ABG analysis?

Answer 22

Acute conditions have no metabolic compensation, while chronic conditions show signs of compensation.

Question 23

What are cardiac biomarkers?

Answer 23

Substances like CK-MB and Troponin used to assess cardiac events like myocardial infarction.

Question 24

What is a complete blood count (CBC) used for?

Answer 24

To assess overall health and diagnose conditions like anemia, infection, and more.

Question 25

What does a lipid profile measure?

Answer 25

Cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood to assess atherosclerosis risk.

Question 26

What do PT and PTT tests measure?

Answer 26

The time it takes for blood to clot, used to monitor anticoagulant therapy.

Question 27

What is the INR and why is it important?

Answer 27

International Normalized Ratio, used to monitor patients on anticoagulants.

Question 28

What is the therapeutic objective for ABG management?

Answer 28

To maintain normal pH, PaCO2, and HCO3- levels in the blood.

Question 29

What conditions can imbalance in pH cause?

Answer 29

Convulsions or coma.