Skills Flashcards
When are ABGs superior to VBGs?
If you need PaO2 or in severe shock/Hypercapnia/Lactate >2
Causes of respiratory acidosis
Decreased respiratory drive
Decreased chest wall movement
Chronic obstruction
Causes of respiratory alkalosis
Increased rep drive
Hypoxaemia induced- Altitude
What does an increased anion gap mean?
Increased acid production or ingestion
What does a decreased anion gap mean?
Decreased acid excretion or loss of HC03
Increased anion gap metabolic acidosis causes
Lactate Urea Ketones Aspirin OD CO
Decreased anion gap metabolic acidosis causes
Lithium toxicity
Inc Ca
Inc K
Inc Mg
Normal gap metabolic acidosis causes
Addisons, RTA
What does Aspirin OD cause
Metabolic acidosis and Respiratory alkalosis as compensation
Causes of metabolic alkalosis
GI loss of H+
Renal loss of H+- Nephrotic, Diuretics, Conn’s
What does base excess >2 mean?
Increased Bicarb
Met alkalosis or comp.Resp acidosis
What does base excess
Decreased Bicarb
Met acidosis or comp.Resp Alkalosis
In terms of compensation what does a normal PH indicate?
Fully compensated
If still abnormal then it is partially compensated
System for CXR interpretation
Demographics
RIPE
A->E
What does RIPE mean in relation to CXR interpretation?
Rotation- Clavicles and spinous processes
Inspiration- 5-6 Ant.Ribs
Penetration- Vertebrae through mediastinum
Exposure- Can you see it all?
What is ABCDE in relation to CXR interpretation?
Airway- Deviation?
Breathing- Pleura, Collapse, Consolidation, hilar, reticular shadowing
Circulation- Heart size, Heart position, shape, Great vessels
Diaphragm- Shape, Costophrenic angles, Air below?
Extra- Bones and soft tissue
Sail sign?
Lower lobe collapse
Veil sign
Upper lobe collapse
System to interpret an AXR?
Demographics Bowels (+ pother organs) Bones Calcification (BBC)
Diameter of the DB, LB and caecum?
3, 6, 9 CM
What does the coiled spring sign suggest?
SB obstruction
Valvulae conniventes become more prominent
How does faeces look on an AXR?
Mottled