ABG's

Question 1

pH =

Answer 1

7.35-7.45

Question 2

pO2 =

Answer 2

80-100

Question 3

pCO2 =

Answer 3

35-45

Question 4

HCO3 =

Answer 4

22-26

Question 5

SaO2 =

Answer 5

95-100%

Question 6

CO2 =

HCO3 =

Answer 6

Respiratory

Metabolic

Question 7

Base Deficit =

Answer 7

Increase acid production secondary to hypoxia

Question 8

What is normal base excess (BE) lvl?

Answer 8

+2 or -2

Question 9

Metabolic Alkalosis =

Answer 9

if > 2+ mEq/L, involves excess bicarbonate

Question 10

Causes of Metabolic Alkalosis (5)

Answer 10

1) Compensation for primary respiratory acidosis
2) Excessive loss of HCL in gastric juice by vomiting
3) Renal overproduction of bicarbonate
4) Contraction alkalosis
5) Cushing’s disease (increase mineral corticoid -> increase aldosterone -> increase K+ excretion = hypokalemia -> metabolic alkalosis)

Question 11

Metabolic Acidosis =

Answer 11

= < -2 mEq/L usually involves exretion of bicarbonate by excess organic acids

Question 12

Causes of Metabolic Acidosis (5)

Answer 12

1) Compensation for primary respiratory alkalosis
2) DKA
3) Lactic Acidosis dt anaerobic metabolism during heavy exercise or hypoxia
4) CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) preventing excretion of acid and resorption/production of bicarbonate
5) Diarrhea -> increased excretion of bicarb

Question 13

Respiratory Alkalosis
pH =
Co2 =
S/S (3)

Answer 13

pH = High 
CO2 = Low 
S/S = 
- Hypoxia 
- Dizziness
- Numbness/tingling bc during respiratory alkalosis, Ca binds to albumin even more = hypocalcemia*

Question 14

Causes of Respiratory Alkalosis (4)

Answer 14

1) Hyperventilation
2) High Rate Mechanical Ventilation
3) Hypermetabolic States (pain, fever, crying, seizures, burns)
4) CNS Disorders (strokes damage brain stem = our respiratory center)

Question 15

Respiratory Acidosis
pH =
CO2 =
S/S (3)-(1)*

Answer 15

pH = Low 
CO2 = High 
S/S = 
- Dizziness
- Confusion 
- HA* (distinguishes)

Question 16

Causes of Respiratory Acidosis (4)

Answer 16

1) Cardiac Arrest
2) COPD/CAL (Chronic Airway Limitation)
3) Sedation/Anesthesia
4) Lactic Acidosis

Question 17

Metabolic Alkalosis
pH =
HCO3 =
S/S (3)

Answer 17

pH = High 
HCO3 = High 
S/S = 
- weakness/lethargy 
- low BP**
- low RR (hypoventilation) -> to keep in CO2 to compensate

Question 18

Causes of Metabolic Alkalosis (4)

Answer 18

1) Vomiting/NGT Suction (losing acid/chemo, preggo, pyloric stenosis, GI surgery)
2) Hypokalemia (both cause and effect)
3) Administration of NaHCO3 (given in burn pts/given for heart burn)
4) Hypovolemia (contraction alkalosis/hemoconcentration of increase in bicarb and decrease H20)

Question 19

Metabolic Acidosis
pH =
HCO3 -
S/S (3)

Answer 19

pH = Low 
HCO3 = Low 
S/S = 
- lethargy, weakness
- somnolence (drowsiness) 
- Kussmaul's ( increased RR to compensate)

Question 20

Causes of Metabolic Acidosis (5)

Answer 20

1) Ketoacidosis (DKA) -> risk for arrythmias dt increased K+)
2) Lactic Acidosis (Liver converts lactate -> liver failure accumulates lactate)
3) Salicylate Overdose
4) Diarrhea/Fistulas (excretion of bicarb/ fistula -> inflammation -< more excretion)
5) Hyperkalemia/Renal Failure (increased K bc usually excretes it)

Question 21

1) DKA = too much ____ in the _ _ _ (pt is in ____ ___)

• Results in _______
• Some ___ will move into the cell
• (potassium lvls ___)

Answer 21

1) ketoacids, ECC (metabolic acidosis)
- Hyperkalemia
- H+
- rise

Question 22

1) Hyperkalemia = too much ____ in ___ (from ___ or ___ __ __)

• Results in _____ _____
• Some ___ moves out of cell
• ____ in H+ ions

Answer 22

K+ , ECC (acute or chronic renal failure)

• Metabolic Acidosis
• H+
• Increase

Question 23

1) Metabolic Alkalosis = too little _____ in the ____

• Results in ______
• ___ moves into the cell
• ____ in K+ lvls

Answer 23

= H+, ECC

• Hypokalemia
• K+
• Decrease

Question 24

1) Hypokalemia = too little ___ in ___

• Results in _____ _____
• ___ moves into cell
• ___ in H+ ions

Answer 24

= K+, ECC

• Metabolic Alkalosis
• H+
• Decrease