Arterial blood gas interpretation Flashcards
ABG
arterial blood gas
blood sample taken from the radial artery in the wrist
VBG
venous blood gas
blood sample taken from a vein in cubital fossa
when are ABGs used?
VGBs can tell almost as much as ABGs and is more comfortable for the patient.
used to check if a patient is a chronic CO2 retainer in COPD or initiating non-invasive ventilation
difference between VBGs and ABGs
interpretation technique is the same
pO2 cannot be interpreted on a VBG and the reference range values are slightly different
acidosis
pH <7.35
increased in CO2 - respiratory acidosis
decrease in HCO3- - metabolic acidosis
alkalosis
pH>7.45
increase in HCO3- - metabolic alkalosis
decrease in CO2 - respiratory alkalosis
pathophysiology of respiratory acidosis?
inadequate alveola ventilation
leading to CO2 retention
causes of respiratory acidosis
respiratory depression - e.g. by opiates guillain-Barre - paralysis asthma COPD iatrogenic - incorrect mechanical ventilation
pathophysiology of respiratory alkalosis
caused by excessive alveolar ventilation - hyperventilation
so more CO2 than normal is being exhaled
causes of respiratory alkalosis
anxiety - panic attack
pain - causing an increased respiratory rate
hypoxia - resulting in increased alveolar ventilation to compensate
pulmonary embolism
pneumothorax
iatrogenic - excessive mechanical ventilation
pathophysiology of metabolic acidosis
- increased acid production or ingestion
2. decreased acid excretion or rate of gastro and renal HCO3- loss
causes of metabolic acidosis mechanism 1
diabetic ketoacidosis - increased production
lactic acidosis - increased production
aspirin overdose - increased ingestion of acid
what does metabolic acidosis by mechanism 1 cause?
increased anion gap
causes of metabolic acidosis by mechanism 2
Gastrointestinal loss of HCO3- - diarrhoea, ileostomy, proximal colostomy
renal tubular acidosis - retention of H+
addison’s diseases - retention of H+
what does metabolic acidosis by mechanism 2 cause?
decreased anion gap/ normal anion gap
what is normal anion gap?
4-12mmol/L
how to calculate anion gap?
Na+ - (Cl- + HCO3-)
pathophysiology of metabolic alkalosis
occurs as a result of decreased hydrogen ion concentration causing an increased bicarbonate
or a direct result of increased bicarbonate concentrations
causes of metabolic alkalosis
gastrointestinal loss of H+ ions - vomiting/ diarrhoea
renal loss of H+ ions - loop and thiazide diuretics
heart failure
nephrotic syndrome
cirrhosis
conn’s syndrome
iatrogenic - addition of alkali
compensation
pH, CO2 and HCO3- will change on ABG
respiratory compensation
pH is not in range and so compensation is partial
metabolic compensation
more effective than respiratory and so may return pH to normal - full compensation, however, is usually only partial compensation
how quick is respiratory compensation?
reacts quickly by increasing or decreasing alveolar ventilation to blow off more or retain more CO2
fast but less effective
how quick is metabolic compensation?
takes a few days to occur as it requires the kidneys to either reduce HCO3- production or increase HCO3- production
slow but more effective
overcompensation
should never occur and so if results suggest this need to consider other pathologies
mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis
decreased pH
increased CO2
decreased HCO3-
looks like both are the cause
causes of mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis
cardiac arrest
multi-organ failure
mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis
increased pH
decreased CO2
increased HCO3-
looks like both are the cause
causes of mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis
liver cirrhosis in addition to diuretic use
hyperemesis gravidarum
excessive ventilation in COPD
how to treat mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis/ alkalosis?
correct each primary acid-base disturbance
respiratory failure
paO2 <8