ABG Values

Question 1

What is the mean (range) of pH

Answer 1

7.4 (7.35-7.45)

Question 2

What is the mean (range) of PaCO2

Answer 2

40mmHg at sea level breathing ambient air (35 - 45 mm Hg)

Question 3

What is the mean (range) of PaO2

Answer 3

97mm Hg at sea level breathing ambient air (80 - 100 mmHg)

Question 4

What is the mean (range) of HCO3-

Answer 4

24mEq/L (22 - 26 mEq/L)

Question 5

What is the range of SaO2

Answer 5

95% - 98%

Question 6

What is the order that ABG results are read in?

Answer 6

pH -> PaCO2 -> PaO2 -> HCO3-

Question 7

What is acidemia?

Answer 7

elevated acidity of blood (pH<7.35)

Question 8

What is alkalemia

Answer 8

decreased acidity of blood (pH>7.45)

Question 9

What is a normal level of CO2 in arterial blood?

Answer 9

Eucapnia (PaCO2 35 - 45 mmHg)

Question 10

What is an elevated level of CO2 in arterial blood?

Answer 10

Hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 45mm Hg)

Question 11

What is a low level of CO2 in arterial blood?

Answer 11

Hypocapnia (PaCO2 <35mm Hg)

Question 12

What is a low level of O2 in arterial blood?

Answer 12

Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 80mmHg)

Question 13

What is considered a mild hypoxemia? (O2 in arterial blood)

Answer 13

PaO2 60 - 79 mm Hg

Question 14

What is considered a moderate hypoxemia? (O2 in arterial blood)

Answer 14

PaO2 40 - 59 mm Hg

Question 15

What is considered a severe hypoxemia? (O2 in arterial blood)

Answer 15

PaO2 < 40 mm Hg

Question 16

What are the steps to systematically analyze arterial blood gases? (ABGs) — pg 410

Answer 16

1) Examine pH to assess acid-base balance
2) Examine the PaCO2 as an indicator of ventilatory status
3) Interpret PaCO2 in relation to pH
4) Interpret the HCO3- in relation to pH
5) Interpret the PaO2 and SaO2

Question 17

What indicates acidosis?

Answer 17

pH < 7.40

Question 18

What indicates alkalosis

Answer 18

pH > 7.40

Question 19

What would indicate ALVEOLAR HYPERVENTILATION

Answer 19

PaCO2 < 30 mm Hg

Question 20

What would indicate ALVEOLAR HYPOVENTILATION, VENTILATORY FAILURE

Answer 20

PaCO2 > 50mm Hg

Question 21

What would a PaCO2 of 35 - 45 mmHg indicate?

Answer 21

It indicates adequate ventilation; no respiratory problem and no respiratory compensation for metabolic problem?

Question 22

What does PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg and pH < 7.40 indicate?

Answer 22

respiratory acidosis

Question 23

What does PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg and pH > 7.40 indicate?

Answer 23

Retention of CO2 to compensate for metabolic alkalosis

Question 24

What does PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg and pH > 7.40 indicate?

Answer 24

respiratory alkalosis

Question 25

What does PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg and pH < 7.40 indicate?

Answer 25

Elimination of CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis

Question 26

What does HCO3- (22 - 26 mEq/L) mean?

Answer 26

It indicates no primary metabolic problem and no metabolic compensation for a respiratory problem

Question 27

What does HCO3- < 22 mEq/L and pH < 7.40 indicate?

Answer 27

metabolic acidosis

Question 28

What does HCO3- < 22 mEq/L and pH > 7.40 indicate?

Answer 28

Renal compensation for a respiratory alkalosis

Question 29

What does HCO3- > 26 mEq/L and pH > 7.40 indicate?

Answer 29

metabolic alkalosis

Question 30

What does HCO3- > 26 mEq/L and pH < 7.40 indicate?

Answer 30

Renal compensation for respiratory acidosis

Question 31

What is considered a normal PaO2 and SaO2?

Answer 31

PaO2 80 - 100 mm Hg at sea level with SaO2 > 95%

Question 32

What is considered mild hypoxemia with PaO2 and SaO2

Answer 32

PaO2 60 - 79 mm Hg ... SaO2 90% - 95% (if no shift in oxyhemoglobin curve)

Question 33

What is considered moderate hypoxemia with PaO2 and SaO2

Answer 33

PaO2 40 - 59 mm Hg ... SaO2 60% - 90% (if no shift in oxyhemoglobin curve)

Question 34

What is considered severe hypoxemia with PaO2 and SaO2

Answer 34

PaO2 < 40 mm Hg ... SaO2 < 60% (if no shift in oxyhemoglobin curve)