Interpreting Blood Results

Question 1

What does a raised creatinine level suggest?

Answer 1

• Impaired kidney function

Question 2

What is the normal range for adult pH?

Answer 2

7.35-7.45

Question 3

What is the normal range for adult BE?

Answer 3

-2 to +2

Question 4

What is the normal range for adult Lactate?

Answer 4

2 or below

Question 5

Where is the pH of blood lower?

Answer 5

Lower in veins than arteries

Question 6

What is partial pressure of oxygen?

Answer 6

Amount of O2 dissolved in blood plasma

Question 7

What is partial pressure of carbon dioxide?

Answer 7

Amount of carbon dioxide in blood as carbonic acid

Question 8

What is the equation for the buffering system?

Answer 8

energy + CO2 + H20 –> carbonic acid –> H+ + bicarbonate

Question 9

What does a PaCO2 over 6 suggest?

Answer 9

Respiratory acidosis

Question 10

What does a PaCO2 under 4.5 suggest?

Answer 10

Respiratory alkalosis OR respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis

Question 11

What does a bicarbonate level under 22 suggest?

Answer 11

Metabolic acidosis

Question 12

What is base excess?

Answer 12

The amount of alkali required to return to a normal pH

Question 13

What does a BE under -2 suggest?

Answer 13

Metabolic acidosis

Question 14

What is lactate?

Answer 14

A by-product of anaerobic metabolism - levels over 2 indicate serious illness

Question 15

What might a low Hb or MCV level indicate?

Answer 15

Anaemia

Question 16

What value is considered low for platelet count and what might this indicate?

Answer 16

• Under 150
• HELLP
• Contraindication for epidural if <100

Question 17

What might raised WCC or CRP indicate?

Answer 17

Infection

Question 18

If impaired kidney function is indicated by blood results, what could be causing this in pregnancy?

Answer 18

PET

Question 19

What do high sodium/potassium levels indicate?

Answer 19

Dehydration

Question 20

What might cause low sodium/potassium levels?

Answer 20

Excessive vomiting

Question 21

What is urea?

Answer 21

Waste product of the breakdown of protein

Question 22

What might high urea levels indicate?

Answer 22

• Impaired kidney function

- High protein diet

Question 23

What might low urea levels indicate?

Answer 23

• Liver disease

- Low protein diet

Question 24

What else might indicate impaired kidney function?

Answer 24

Decreased GFR

Question 25

What are the 5 components that should be looked at for kidney function?

Answer 25

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Creatinine
• Urea
• GFR

Question 26

What are the 5 components that should be looked at for liver function?

Answer 26

• ALT
• ALP
• Bilirubin
• Albumin
• Bile acids

Question 27

What are the 3 main components looked at to do with clotting?

Answer 27

• Prothrombin time
• Fibrinogen
• Platelets

Question 28

What else may be present in the blood in patients with severe PET?

Answer 28

Troponin (protein released from cardiac muscle in response to damage)

Question 29

What is respiratory acidosis?

Answer 29

Low blood pH due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide

Question 30

What is metabolic acidosis?

Answer 30

Low blood pH and high BE due to the accumulation of lactic acid

Question 31

What other condition does metabolic acidosis include?

Answer 31

Placental insufficiency

Question 32

What are the 4 levels of oxygen deprivation?

Answer 32

1. Hypoxaemia (low o2 in blood)
2. Hypoxia (low o2 in blood and tissues)
3. Acidaemia (low pH in blood)
4. Acidosis (low pH in blood and tissues)

Question 33

What is the difference between base excess and base deficit?

Answer 33

Measure the same thing but BE is negative, BD is positive

Question 34

What do IgG and IgM mean?

Answer 34

IgG = had it before
IgM = has it now