ABG analysis

Question 1

what is the normal range for pH?

Answer 1

7.35-7.45

Question 2

what does a pH below 7.35 mean?

Answer 2

acidic

Question 3

what does a pH above 7.45 mean?

Answer 3

alkali

Question 4

what is the normal range for PaCO2?

Answer 4

4.5-6kPa

Question 5

what does PaCO2 < 4.5kPa mean?

Answer 5

alkali

Question 6

what does PaCO2 > 6kPa mean?

Answer 6

acidic

Question 7

what is the normal range for PaO2?

Answer 7

11-14kPa

Question 8

what does a PaO2 level below 11kPa mean?

Answer 8

hypoxic

Question 9

what is the normal level of HCO3-?

Answer 9

22-26mmol/l

Question 10

what does a HCO3- level below 22 mean?

Answer 10

acidic

Question 11

what does a HCO3- level above 26 mean?

Answer 11

alkali

Question 12

what is BE?

Answer 12

Base excess, calculated measure of change in HCO3- levels

Question 13

what is the normal range for BE?

Answer 13

-2 - +2

Question 14

what does a positive BE mean?

Answer 14

alkali

Question 15

what does a negative BE mean?

Answer 15

acidic

Question 16

if the CO2 caused the pH to be out of range, which system is the primary problem?

Answer 16

respiratory

Question 17

if the HCO3- caused the pH to be out of range, which system is the primary problem?

Answer 17

metabolic

Question 18

how long does it take the lungs to compensate for a kidney problem?

Answer 18

5 breaths

Question 19

how long does it take the kidneys to compensate for a lung dysfunction?

Answer 19

3 days