Interpreting Blood Results Flashcards
What does a raised creatinine level suggest?
- Impaired kidney function
What is the normal range for adult pH?
7.35-7.45
What is the normal range for adult BE?
-2 to +2
What is the normal range for adult Lactate?
2 or below
Where is the pH of blood lower?
Lower in veins than arteries
What is partial pressure of oxygen?
Amount of O2 dissolved in blood plasma
What is partial pressure of carbon dioxide?
Amount of carbon dioxide in blood as carbonic acid
What is the equation for the buffering system?
energy + CO2 + H20 –> carbonic acid –> H+ + bicarbonate
What does a PaCO2 over 6 suggest?
Respiratory acidosis
What does a PaCO2 under 4.5 suggest?
Respiratory alkalosis OR respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis
What does a bicarbonate level under 22 suggest?
Metabolic acidosis
What is base excess?
The amount of alkali required to return to a normal pH
What does a BE under -2 suggest?
Metabolic acidosis
What is lactate?
A by-product of anaerobic metabolism - levels over 2 indicate serious illness
What might a low Hb or MCV level indicate?
Anaemia
What value is considered low for platelet count and what might this indicate?
- Under 150
- HELLP
- Contraindication for epidural if <100
What might raised WCC or CRP indicate?
Infection
If impaired kidney function is indicated by blood results, what could be causing this in pregnancy?
PET
What do high sodium/potassium levels indicate?
Dehydration
What might cause low sodium/potassium levels?
Excessive vomiting
What is urea?
Waste product of the breakdown of protein
What might high urea levels indicate?
- Impaired kidney function
- High protein diet
What might low urea levels indicate?
- Liver disease
- Low protein diet
What else might indicate impaired kidney function?
Decreased GFR
What are the 5 components that should be looked at for kidney function?
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Creatinine
- Urea
- GFR
What are the 5 components that should be looked at for liver function?
- ALT
- ALP
- Bilirubin
- Albumin
- Bile acids
What are the 3 main components looked at to do with clotting?
- Prothrombin time
- Fibrinogen
- Platelets
What else may be present in the blood in patients with severe PET?
Troponin (protein released from cardiac muscle in response to damage)
What is respiratory acidosis?
Low blood pH due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide
What is metabolic acidosis?
Low blood pH and high BE due to the accumulation of lactic acid
What other condition does metabolic acidosis include?
Placental insufficiency
What are the 4 levels of oxygen deprivation?
- Hypoxaemia (low o2 in blood)
- Hypoxia (low o2 in blood and tissues)
- Acidaemia (low pH in blood)
- Acidosis (low pH in blood and tissues)
What is the difference between base excess and base deficit?
Measure the same thing but BE is negative, BD is positive
What do IgG and IgM mean?
IgG = had it before IgM = has it now
