ABG's Flashcards
What is a normal Gap Acidosis and its causes?
Anion gap of 8-16
HARD UP Hyperalimentation Acetazolamide RTA DIARRHEA Uretosigmoidostomy Pancreatic fistula
What is an Anion Gap Acidosis and its causes?
anion gap of greater than 16
MUD PILES Methanol Uremia (renal failure) DKA Paraldehyde Inborn errors of metabolism Lactic Acidosis Ethylene Salicylates
What happens to an ABG sample not chilled within 15 mins of collection and not run within 30 mins?
Leucocytosis can decrease the PO2 if left at room air temp
Ice slows down the metabolism of O2 by the WBC in the blood.
What will happen to an ABG sample if there is an Air bubble?
pH will increase as PaCO2 levels will decrease.
PaO2 will either increase or decrease depending on Actual Pa02 levels. If Pa02 levels are high they will drop, to about 150. If Pa02 Levels are low, they will increase to about 150.
What effect can too much heparin do to an ABG sample?
Liquid heparin has a low pH (6.4) and a low CO2 (7.5
mm Hg) - Too much can lower both in a blood sample.
It has a high pO2 (160 mm Hg)
The greatest effect is seen in PaCO2
What happens in a 2 point cal for an ABG machine? How often is it done?
Usually done every 8 hours
Known samples enter the measuring chambers
and are measured – the machine will adjust itself to the known value for all three values
2 point values: (slope)
pH 6.840 CO2 – 10% gas O2 – 12 or 20% gas
How do you trend ABG QC results?
How do you interpret them?
Levey-Jennings Chart
A deviation shows how much a number varies
from the mean. An Error is > 2SD outside of the mean
A single Random = has minor significance.
Systematic errors = recurrent measurable
deviation from the mean – need to investigate
How long is an acceptable time for an ABG sample to not be on ice before testing?
Less than 15 minutes to analysis
OK to transfer without ice.
What are some causes of Metabolic Alkalosis?
Extracellular Fluid Volume depletion:
Vomiting
Diuretic Therapy
Laxative Abuse
Severe Potassium Depletion
