ABGs

Question 1

What are normal Pa02 levels?

Answer 1

11 - 13 kPa

<8 = respiratory failure

Question 2

What are normal pH levels?

Answer 2

7.35-7.45

Question 3

What are normal PaCO2 levels

Answer 3

4.7-6.0 kPa

Question 4

What is normal HCO3 levels?

Answer 4

22-26 mEq/L

Question 5

What is normal base excess?

Answer 5

-2 to +2

Question 6

What is T1 respiratory failure?

Give 2 examples of causes

Answer 6

ventilation/perfusion mismatch
hypoxaemia + normcapnia
bronchoconstriction, pulmonary oedema, PE

Question 7

What is T2 respiratory failure?

Give 2 examples of causes

Answer 7

alveolar hypoventilation - hypoxaemia + hypercapnia

e.g. COPD, pneumonia, rib fractures, obesity, GBS, opiates

Question 8

What could cause respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 8

hypocalcaemia, hyperventilation, PE, pneumothorax

Question 9

What could cause respiratory acidosis?

Answer 9

respiratory depression, GBS, asthma, COPD,

Question 10

What could cause metabolic acidosis?

Answer 10

increased acid production or ingestion, decreased acid excretion

Question 11

What would you use the anion gap for?

Answer 11

to assess metabolic acidosis
raised = increased acid production or ingestion
low = decreased excretion or loss of HCO3-(e.g. myeloma)

Question 12

What is the equation to evaluate anion gap?

Answer 12

(Na + K) - (Cl +HCO3)

Question 13

What is the normal level for anion gap?

Answer 13

4-12 mmol/L

Question 14

What could cause metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 14

GI loss
renal loss (eg. heart failure, nephrotic syndrome)
iatrogenic

Question 15

What could caused mixed acidosis?

Answer 15

cardiac arrest, multi-organ failure