ABG Values Flashcards
What is the mean (range) of pH
7.4 (7.35-7.45)
What is the mean (range) of PaCO2
40mmHg at sea level breathing ambient air (35 - 45 mm Hg)
What is the mean (range) of PaO2
97mm Hg at sea level breathing ambient air (80 - 100 mmHg)
What is the mean (range) of HCO3-
24mEq/L (22 - 26 mEq/L)
What is the range of SaO2
95% - 98%
What is the order that ABG results are read in?
pH -> PaCO2 -> PaO2 -> HCO3-
What is acidemia?
elevated acidity of blood (pH<7.35)
What is alkalemia
decreased acidity of blood (pH>7.45)
What is a normal level of CO2 in arterial blood?
Eucapnia (PaCO2 35 - 45 mmHg)
What is an elevated level of CO2 in arterial blood?
Hypercapnia (PaCO2 > 45mm Hg)
What is a low level of CO2 in arterial blood?
Hypocapnia (PaCO2 <35mm Hg)
What is a low level of O2 in arterial blood?
Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 80mmHg)
What is considered a mild hypoxemia? (O2 in arterial blood)
PaO2 60 - 79 mm Hg
What is considered a moderate hypoxemia? (O2 in arterial blood)
PaO2 40 - 59 mm Hg
What is considered a severe hypoxemia? (O2 in arterial blood)
PaO2 < 40 mm Hg
What are the steps to systematically analyze arterial blood gases? (ABGs) — pg 410
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
What indicates acidosis?
pH < 7.40
What indicates alkalosis
pH > 7.40
What would indicate ALVEOLAR HYPERVENTILATION
PaCO2 < 30 mm Hg
What would indicate ALVEOLAR HYPOVENTILATION, VENTILATORY FAILURE
PaCO2 > 50mm Hg
What would a PaCO2 of 35 - 45 mmHg indicate?
It indicates adequate ventilation; no respiratory problem and no respiratory compensation for metabolic problem?
What does PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg and pH < 7.40 indicate?
respiratory acidosis
What does PaCO2 > 45 mm Hg and pH > 7.40 indicate?
Retention of CO2 to compensate for metabolic alkalosis
What does PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg and pH > 7.40 indicate?
respiratory alkalosis
What does PaCO2 < 35 mm Hg and pH < 7.40 indicate?
Elimination of CO2 to compensate for metabolic acidosis
What does HCO3- (22 - 26 mEq/L) mean?
It indicates no primary metabolic problem and no metabolic compensation for a respiratory problem
What does HCO3- < 22 mEq/L and pH < 7.40 indicate?
metabolic acidosis
What does HCO3- < 22 mEq/L and pH > 7.40 indicate?
Renal compensation for a respiratory alkalosis
What does HCO3- > 26 mEq/L and pH > 7.40 indicate?
metabolic alkalosis
What does HCO3- > 26 mEq/L and pH < 7.40 indicate?
Renal compensation for respiratory acidosis
What is considered a normal PaO2 and SaO2?
PaO2 80 - 100 mm Hg at sea level with SaO2 > 95%
What is considered mild hypoxemia with PaO2 and SaO2
PaO2 60 - 79 mm Hg … SaO2 90% - 95% (if no shift in oxyhemoglobin curve)
What is considered moderate hypoxemia with PaO2 and SaO2
PaO2 40 - 59 mm Hg … SaO2 60% - 90% (if no shift in oxyhemoglobin curve)
What is considered severe hypoxemia with PaO2 and SaO2
PaO2 < 40 mm Hg … SaO2 < 60% (if no shift in oxyhemoglobin curve)