Med Surg: ABG & Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
What is acid-base balance?
HCO: bicarbonate
H2CO3: Acid
HCO3: 20/1
Maintain pH in normal range
What are the regulators of pH?
Lungs: regulate H2CO3 through CO
Kidneys: Regulate HCO3 and H+ ions
What are ABG normal values?
pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCOs:: 35-45 mm Hg
PaO2: 880-100 mm Hg
HCO3: 22-26 mEq/L
SaO2: over 95%
BE: -2 to +2 mEq/L
How does one interprete ABG?
Acidosis: <7.35
Alkalosis: >7.45
How does one determine the primary problem (if its metabolc or respiratory?)
RespiratoryL if pH is decreased then PaCO2 is increased and if pH is increased then PaCO2 is decreased
Metabolic: if pH is increased then HCO3 is increased and if pH is decreased then HCO3 is decreased
How does the body compensate?
Respiratory compensation is quick
Metabolic compensation takes time
What is correction vs. Compensation?
Correction: fixing the affected system
Compensation: opposite system working to correct imbalance (bodies attempt to return the acid-base status to normal)
What is Acute respiratory acidosis?
pH is acidotic
PaCO2 is elevated
Inadquate time for any effective compensatory mechanism
What are the causes of Acute Respiratory Acidosis?
Acute respiratory pathology
Acute drug intoxication (alcohol, narcotics)
CNS disease (head trauma)
What is chronic respiratory acidosis?
pH within acceptable range
PaCO2 is elevated
Compensation by renal mechanisms have started
What are the causes of Chronic respiratory acidosis?
Chronic lung diease
Neuromuscular disease
Chest wall deformity
What is respiratory alkalosis?
pH is alkalotic
PaCO2 is low
Acute: no compensation
Chronic: compensation will have begun
What is oxygenation?
Determine the adequacy of oxygenation
Hypoxemia: decreased oxygen content of blood
Hypoxia: inadequate amount of oxygen available to or used by tissues for matabolic needs
