ABG's

Question 1

What does the pH measure?

Answer 1

H+ ion concentration

Question 2

What does Pa02 measure?

Answer 2

Inspired oxygen

Partial Pressure of O2 in arterial blood

Question 3

What does PaC02 measure?

Answer 3

CO2 in arterial blood

Question 4

What does Base Excess measure?

Answer 4

How much base needs to be added or removed to restore the pH

Question 5

What is the normal range for pH?

Answer 5

7.35 - 7.45

Question 6

What is the normal range for PaO2?

Answer 6

9.3 - 13.3 KpA

Question 7

What is the normal range for PaCO2?

Answer 7

4.7 - 6 KpA

Question 8

What is the normal range for BE?

Answer 8

-2 to +2

Question 9

What does increased PaCO2 suggest?

Answer 9

Respiratory acidosis

Question 10

What does decreased PaCO2 suggest?

Answer 10

Respiratory alkalosis

Question 11

How is metabolic acidosis compensated?

Answer 11

Increased PaC02 through hypoventilation

Question 12

How is metabolic alkalosis compensated?

Answer 12

Decreased PaCO2 through hyperventilation

Question 13

What does a very -ve BE suggest?

Answer 13

Metabolic acidosis

Question 14

What does a very +BE suggest?

Answer 14

Metabolic alkalosis

Question 15

How is respiratory acidosis compensated?

Answer 15

Retaining bicarbonate and creating metabolic alkalosis

Question 16

How is respiratory alkalosis compensated?

Answer 16

Excreting bicarbonate and creating metabolic acidosis

Question 17

An 18 year male with a 48 hour of polydipsia and polyuria.

His BM is 42.

Fi02 0.21*
pH 7.1 (7.35-7.45)
P02 8 (9.3-13.3)
PC02 5 (4.7-6)
BE -10 (-2 to +2).

Describe these results.

Answer 17

This patient is hypoxic and has metabolic acidosis with no compensation

Diagnosis likely DKA

Question 18

22 year old female. History of anxiety and depression. She presents to AE with breathlessness and tingling fingers.

Fi02 0.21
pH 7.6 (7.35-7.45)
P02 13 (9.3-13.3)
PC02 3 (4.7-6)
BE +1 (-2 to +2)

Describe these results

Answer 18

This patient has respiratory alkalosis with no compensation

Question 19

14 year old boy with a 48 hour history of flu like symptoms. He has presented with headache, photophobia and a purpuric rash.

Fi02 0.21
pH 7.2 (7.35-7.45)
P02 8 (9.3-13.3)
PC02 7 (4.7-6)
BE -10 (-2 to +2)

Describe these results

Answer 19

This patient has Mixed respiratory & metabolic acidosis with no compensation