Arterial Blood Gases

Question 1

Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)

Answer 1

75-100 mmHg

Represents the amount of O2 dissolved in each 100 ml of the arterial blood.

Question 2

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2)

Answer 2

38-42 mmHg

Calculated by arterial blood gases (ABG) test. Evaluates how well carbon dioxide (CO2) moves from lungs into blood.

Question 3

Arterial blood pH

Answer 3

7.38-7.42

PH scale = 0-14.
Below 7 is acidic.
Above 7 is alkaline or basic.
Each number is 10 x bigger than the next.

Question 4

Oxygen saturation (SaO2)

Answer 4

94-100%

FYI - O2 value will be lower at altitudes >3,000 ft.

This is the fraction of oxygen-saturated hemoglobin relative to the total hemoglobin in the blood.

Question 5

Bicarbonate (HCO3)

Answer 5

22-28 mEq/L

Byproduct of body’s metabolism. Blood brings bicarbonate to the lungs where it’s exhaled as carbon dioxide. Kidneys also help regulate by excretion and reabsorption of bicarbonate.