ABG interpretation

Question 1

what is acidosis casused by?

Answer 1

caused by retention of too much acid or loss of too much base

Question 2

what is alkalosis caused by?

Answer 2

caused by loss of too much acid or retention of too much base

Question 3

how does the body regulate acid-base production?

Answer 3

metabolic processes produce acid that must be neutralized and excreted either through respiratory or renal systems

Question 4

What are the 2 ways the respiratory system aid in acid-base regulation?

Answer 4

increase respiratory rate = increased co2 elimination
decreased respiratory rate = leads to co2 retention

Question 5

what are the 2 ways the renal system aid in acid-base regulation?

Answer 5

conserves bicarbonate (HCo3)
excretes acid ( hydrogen ions )

Question 6

What are the normal values

PH
PACO2
HCO3
PAO2

Answer 6

7.35-7.45
35-45
22-26
80-100

Question 7

What does the PACO2 tell us?

Answer 7

the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in arterial blood

Question 8

what does the HCO3 tell us?

Answer 8

amount of bicarbonate in the bloodstream

Question 9

what does the paO2 tell us?

Answer 9

oxygen that is dissolved in arterial blood

Question 10

what are some reasons why we have alterations in the acid-base balance for individuals?

Answer 10

imbalances occurs when compensatory mechanisms fails

Question 11

respiratory acidosis
what is the cause?
provide examples ^ (2)

Answer 11

CO2 excess
hypoventilation & respiratory failure

Question 12

how does a person in respiratory acidosis compensate?

Answer 12

the kidneys conserve HCO3 and excrete hydrogen into the urine

Question 13

what are the clinical manifestations of respiratory acidosis?

Answer 13

confusion, easy fatigue, lethargy, shortness of breath, sleepiness, tachycardia, tachypnea

Question 14

metabolic acidosis
provide examples to some causes ^ (4)

Answer 14

ketoacidosis, lactic acid accumulation, severe diarrhea, kidney disease

• ketoacidosis
• severe diarrhea

Question 15

how does a person in metabolic acidosis compensate?

Answer 15

increase CO2 excretion - Kussmaul respirations ( deep and rapid breathing ) & kidneys secrete hydrogen

Question 16

what are the clinical manifestations of metabolic acidosis?

Answer 16

lethargy, confusion, dizziness, headache, coma, dysrhythmias, cool skin, N/V/D, muscle weakness, deep and rapid respirations

• dysrhytmias
• NVD
• muscle weakness
• kussmal respirations

Question 17

respiratory alkalosis
what is the cause?
provide examples ^

Answer 17

CO2 deficit
hypoxemia from acute pulmonary disorders, hyperventilation

Question 18

how does a person in respiratory alkalosis compensate?

Answer 18

rare if acute, if chronic increased HCO3 excretion

Question 19

what are the clinical manifestation of respiratory alkalosis?

Answer 19

tachypnea, anxiety, tetany, numbness, tingling, convulsions, palpitations, chest pain, dysrhythmias

• convulsions
• chest pain
• palpitations

Question 20

metabolic alkalosis
what are some examples for the cause?

Answer 20

prolonged GI suctioning, vomiting, diuretic use, hypokalemia

Question 21

how does a person in metabolic alkalosis compensate ?

Answer 21

reneal excretion of HCO3, decreased respiratory rate to increase CO2

Question 22

what are the clincal manifestation of metabolic alkalosis?

Answer 22

numbness, tingling, tetany, weakness, hyperreflexia, confusion, hypoventilation

• hyperreflxia
• hypoventilation

Question 23

what is the anagram to help us remember how to do an ABG interpretation ?

Answer 23

ROME

Question 24

what does Rome stand for?

Answer 24

respiratory opposite
metabolic equal

Question 25

what does metabolic equal indicate?

Answer 25

acidosis LOW ph, LOW HCO3 Alkalosis HIGH ph, HIGH HCO3

Question 25

what does the respiratory opposite indicate?

Answer 25

acidosis LOW ph, HIGH CO2 alkalosis HIGH ph, LOW CO2

Question 26

a patient can be uncompensated meaning? a patient can be partially compensated meaning? a patient can be fully compensated meaning?

Answer 26

so the ph can remain outside the normal range ph also remains outside the normal range, however we may see opposite system attempting to compensate by raising or lowering PCO2 or HCO3 depending on which system started the problem the PH has returned to within normal range, although the other values may still be abnormal

Question 27

some practice ph 7.33 paco2 67 hco3 37 pao2 47

Answer 27

respiratory acidosis

Question 28

pH 7.18 PaCO2 38 mm Hg PaO2 70 mm Hg HCO3– 15 mEq/L

Answer 28

metabolic acidosis

Question 29

pH 7.60 PaCO2 30 mm Hg PaO2 60 mm Hg HCO3– 22 mEq/L

Answer 29

respiratory alkalosis

Question 30

pH 7.58 PaCO2 35 mm Hg PaO2 75 mm Hg HCO3– 50 mEq/L

Answer 30

metabolic alkalosis