Acid-Base Imbalance Flashcards
partially compensated
process has begun, but pH is abnormal
compensated
pH is normal, but CO2 and HCO3- are still abnormal
expected pH
7.35-7.45
expected PaCO2
35-45 mm Hg
expected HCO3
22-26 mm Hg
ROME for interpreting ABGs quickly
- Respiratory
- *O**pposite
- pH ↑ PaCO2 ↓ alkalosis
- pH ↓ PaCO2 ↑ acidosis
- Metabolic
- *E**qual
- pH ↑ PaHCO3 ↑ alkalosis
- pH ↓ PaHCO3 ↓ acidosis
alkalosis
↑ pH
acidosis
↓ pH
respiratory alkalosis
↓ pH
↑ PaCO2
respiratory acidosis
↓ pH
↑ PaCO2
metabolic alkalosis
↑ HCO3
↑ pH
metabolic acidosis
↓ HCO3
↓ pH
organs responsible for acid-base balance
- kidneys: metabolic
- lungs: respiratory
respiratory acid
CO2
metabolic alkaline component
HCO3
steps to interpret ABG
- look at pH: high or low?
- high = alkalosis
- low = acidosis
- normal + abornomal gas = fully compensated
- look at PaCO2: opposite of pH?
- yes = respiratory
- look at HCO3: same direction as pH?
- yes = metabolic
- If neither both fit the pattern, it’s mixed
full compensation
- pH is normal, but PaCO2 and PaHCO3 are abnormal
- pH is slightly acidic or alkalotic
- 7.4 = midpoint
- 7.35-7.39 = slightly acidic = acidosis
- 7.41-7.45 = slightly alkalotic = alkalosis
partial compensation
- acidosis or alkalosis?
- respiratory or metabolic (ROME)?
- the other component won’t fit ROME pattern, and that’s the one that’s compensating
mixed acid-base imbalance
just metabolic or alkalotic
mild hypoxemia
PaO2 = 60-79 mm Hg
moderate hypoxemia
PaO2 = 40-59 mm Hg
severe hypoxemia
PaO2 < 40 mm Hg
expected PaO2
80-100 mm Hg
pH 7.30
PaCO2 53
PaHCO3 24
respiratory acidosis