Arterial blood gases Flashcards
When are ABGs done
diagnosis treatment and monitoring of respiratory and cardiac illnesses
Also used for intra-operative monitoring and in intensive care
Steps to interpret ABG
ph- academia or alkalaemia>
PCo2 and HCo3-= respiratory or metabolic?
Compensation-is there any
Respiratory compensatory mechanisms
Acidic Co2 excreted through hypervantilation or retained through hypoventilation
Metabolic compensatory mechanisms
- Renal excretion of H+ in urine in respiratory acidosis
- Increase in HCo3- concentration in hypoventilation or respiratory acidosis
pH for acidaemia
pH <7.35
pH for alkalaemia
pH >7.45
High pCO2?
Respiratory acidosis
Low pCO2
Respiratory alkalosis
What is base excess
The theoretical amount of acid needed to bring a pt fully oxygenated blood to a normal pH at room temp
What does a high base excess mean
metabolic alkalosis
What does a low base excess mean
Metabolic acidosis
What is respiratory acidosis
-What is bicarbonate like
- Decrease in gaseous exchange leading to retention of CO₂
- High PCO₂ leads to renal retention of bicarbonate to buffer excess H⁺
- Compensation by the kidneys results in an increase in secretion of H⁺ over 3-5 days leading to increase in plasma bicarbonate level
Central causes of respiratory acidosis
Drugs e.g morphine and sedatives
Stroke
Infection
Airway causes of respiratory acidosis
Asthma
COPD
Parenchymal emphysema causes of respiratory acidosis
Pneumoconiosis
Bronchitis
Acute respiratory distress syndrome