Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation

Question 1

What are ABGs used for?

Answer 1

used to assess gas exchange function & provide information about acid-base balance in the body

Question 2

What happens to PaCO2 when hyperventilating and slow breathing?

Answer 2

lowers with hyperventilation and increases with slow breathing

Question 3

What is normal pH?

Answer 3

7.40

Question 4

what is normal PaCO2?

Answer 4

40

Question 5

What is normal HCO3?

Answer 5

24

Question 6

what is normal PaO2?

Answer 6

100

Question 7

What is considered an acidic pH?

Answer 7

<7.40

Question 8

what is considered an alkalotic pH?

Answer 8

> 7.40

Question 9

Does excess CO2 makes the blood more acidic or alkalotic?

Answer 9

acidic

Question 10

does low CO2 make the blood more acidic or alkalotic?

Answer 10

alkalotic?

Question 11

does excess HCO3 cause acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 11

acidosis?

Question 12

does low HCO3 cause acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 12

alkalosis

Question 13

What happens to the pH as PaCO2 increases and decreases?

Answer 13

as it increases pH decreases and as it decreases pH increases

Question 14

what are the symptoms of metabolic acidosis?

Answer 14

kidney dysfunction, diarrhea (lose bicarbonate)

Question 15

What are the symptoms of metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 15

excessive vomiting (lose stomach acid) and kidney dysfunction