Acid Base Balance & Ventilators Flashcards
What two values should be looked at FIRST when interpreting ABGs?
PH and HCO3
If pH and HCO3 are in the same direction then it’s _________. If pH and HCO3 are in different directions then it is _________.
Metabolic; respiratory
Normal pH
7.35-7.45
Normal HCO3
22-26
Normal CO2
35-45
What happens to body systems as pH goes up/down?
Up: body systems become irritable/hyperexcitable
Down: body systems shut down
(REMEMBER: the direction pH goes, so does the patient, EXCEPT for K+)
PH and K+ have an _________ relationship
Inverse (when pH goes up, K+ goes down; when pH goes down, K+ goes up)
(IN OTHER WORDS: alkalosis = hypokalemia; acidosis = hyperkalemia)
S/S of alkalosis
Neuro: irritability, hyperreflexia (3 & 4+), seizure
Cardiac: tachycardia
Respiratory: tachypnea
GI: borborygmi (increased bowel sounds)
Nursing consideration for a patient experiencing alkalosis
Keep suction at bedside d/t risk of seizure and aspiration
S/S of acidosis
Neuro: lethargy, obtunded, hyporeflexia (0-1+), coma
Cardiac: bradycardia
Respiratory: respiratory arrest
GI: paralytic ileus
Nursing consideration for patient experiencing acidosis
Keep bag-mask/ambu-bag at bedside d/t risk of respiratory arrest
Which acid-base imbalance can result in kussmal respirations?
Metabolic acidosis
Reflexes lab values
Hyporeflexia: 0-1
Normal: 2
Hyperreflexia: 3-4
Which acid-base imbalance is caused by over-ventilating?
Respiratory alkalosis (REMEMBER: pH is OVER the expected range with ALKALOSIS, and the patient is OVER-ventilating)
Which acid-base imbalance is caused by under-ventilating?
Respiratory acidosis (REMEMBER: pH is UNDER the expected range with ACIDOSIS, and the patient is UNDER-ventilating)