Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis

Question 1

What defines Acidemia?

Answer 1

pH less than 7.35

Question 2

What defines Alkalemia?

Answer 2

pH greater than 7.45

Question 3

What is the normal PaCO2 value?

Answer 3

Around 40 mmHg

Question 4

What is the normal HCO3- value?

Answer 4

24 mEq/L

Question 5

What is the normal PaO2 range?

Answer 5

80-100 mmHg

Question 6

What should tip you off to metabolic alkalemia?

Answer 6

A pH greater than 7.45 and a HCO3- value greater than 28 mEq/L

Question 7

What should tip you off to respiratory alkalemia?

Answer 7

A pH greater than 7.45 and a PaCO2 less than 36 mmHg

Question 8

What should tip you off to Metabolic acidosis?

Answer 8

A pH less than 7.35 and an HCO3- value less than 20 mEq/L

Question 9

What should tip you off to respiratory acidosis?

Answer 9

A pH less than 7.35 and a PaCO2 greater than 44 mmHg.

Question 10

If there is metabolic acidosis, what should be checked next?

Answer 10

The anion gap, which is represented by {Na+} - {[Cl-] + [HCO3-]}.

Question 11

What does an increased anion gap indicate?

Answer 11

That there is an unmeasured anion counterbalancing Na+ (phosphate, citrate, ketones, ect).

Question 12

What is the compensation equation for metabolic acidosis?

Answer 12

pCO2 = 1.5 X HCO3 + (8 +/- 2)

Question 13

What is the compensation equation for metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 13

pCO2 = 0.7 X HCO3 + (21 +/- 2)

Question 14

What is the compensation equation for acute respiratory acidosis?

Answer 14

delta pH = 0.008 X (PCO2 - 40)

Question 15

What is the compensation equation for chronic respiratory acidosis?

Answer 15

delta pH = 0.003 X (PCO2 - 40)

Question 16

What is the compensation equation for acute respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 16

delta pH = 0.008 X (40 - PCO2)

Question 17

What is the compensation equation for chronic respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 17

delta pH = 0.003 X (40 - PCO2)