This post was originally published on 8/11/10 at It has been read and approved by respiratory therapists, nurses, professors, and physicians. Now you will want to move on to ABG interpretation made easy part II and, once you have oxygenation mastered, now it's time for some practice. Once you practice these you will be able to do these automatically in your head in only a few seconds just by looking at the numbers. Now, had the HCO3 in this example been on the alkalotic side of its normal range (say 27) this ABG would have been partially uncompensated. What you have here is a case of uncompensated combined acidosis. Is is compensated or uncompensated? Since the pH is outside the 7.35 to 7.45 range, and the HCO3 is inside its normal range, the ABG is uncompensated. Is it respiratory or metabolic? Since the pH, CO2, and HCO3 are all acidotic, you have a special case called combined acidosis.ĭ. Is it acidosis or alkalosis? Since the pH is less than 7.40 it is acidoticĬ. Is the ABG normal? No, all the numbers are out of the normal rangeī. What you have here is uncompensated respiratory alkalosis.Ī. If the pH is alkalotic, you look for whichever value (HcO3 or CO2) is also alkalotic. If the pH is acidotic, you look for whichever value (HcO3 or CO2) is also acidotic. Is the cause respiratory or metabolic? To determine this you look at pH and compare it with HcO3 and CO2. Acidotic: If the pH is below 7.35 the patient is acidotic.Ĭ.Alkalotic: If the pH is greater than 7.45 the patient is Alkalotic.Is the pH Acidotic or Alkalotic? To determine this you look only at the pH. If any one of the values is out of the normal range, then you must move on to the next question.ī.Electrolytes affect the amount of water, the acidity of blood (pH), muscle function, and other.
If all the values fall within the normal parameters, then you have a normal ABG and you can stop here: The ABG is normal. Establish or maintain fluid and/or electrolyte balance.To interpret these results, all you have to do is memorize these four basic questions, and then answer them in order. To make things simple, I will only refer to the three basic ABG values in this post
By the time your test comes up you should be an ABG interpretation expert. Of course then you'll have to practice, practice, practice. The goal of this blog is to make your life easy.ĪBG interpretation is as easy as remembering four basic questions, and then answering them in sequence.
Looking for some tips to ease your anxiety over an upcoming test that covers arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation? Well, look no further.