Arterial Blood Gases & Chest tubes Flashcards
(96 cards)
What is the normal range for pH?
7.35-7.45
What is the normal range for PaCo2?
35-45
What is the normal range for PaHCO3?
22-28
What is the normal range for PaO2?
80-100
What is the normal range for base excess?
-2 to +2
What is the normal range for SaO2?
> 95%
What is the normal acid-to-base ratio?
1:20
What is the normal a/A gradient?
5-10 mmHg
What is the normal PF ratio?
normal >300
What is the normal arterial/total O2 content?
20
Describe how to perform the Allen test and why it is used.
Have the patient clench their fist tightly. Locate and occlude the radial and ulnar arteries. While occluding, have the patient release their fist and observe for blanching. Release the ulnar artery. The test is positive if redness returns in 5-15 seconds. This means the radial artery can be used for arterial blood gas sampling. The Allen test is performed first to make sure that the artery can be used for blood sampling, and that there is another artery to perfuse the hand if something goes wrong.
Describe why we would use pulse oximetry or capnography.
Pulse oximetry measures the O2 saturation of Hgb in the blood. Capnography measures the end tidal CO2. Pulse oximetry correlates with PaCO2 and helps measure hypoxia. Capnography is more accurate and is often used to measure respiratory depression (ie: opioid use) and the metabolism/efficiency of breathing.
What are the pH’s that result in death?
6.8 and 8.0
What are common causes of respiratory depression? BBOAAA
Brain injury
Blood transfusion reaction
Obstructive respiratory disease
post-op Anesthesia
neurologic Analgesics (opioids, sedatives)
respiratory acidosis, metabolic alkalosis
What are the risk factors of respiratory depression?
Opioid and PCA use
morbid obesity
age
What are the signs and symptoms of respiratory depression?
RR<12
shallow respirations
low O2 saturation/hypoxia
low CO2 on capnography
cyanosis
elevated HR
hard to arouse, drowsiness
What are the nursing interventions for respiratory depression?
administer Narcan if necessary. Several doses may be needed as Narcan has a short half-life.
administer oxygen
What are common signs and symptoms of acidosis?
hyperkalemia: confusion, muscle spasms, coma, respiratory distress, ECG changes (tall T-waves, wide QRS, long PR interval)
vasodilation: low BP, high HR, headache
What are some common causes of respiratory acidosis?
D drugs (opioids, sedatives, antianxiety, etc)
E edema (pul edema, pul effusion, pul HTN)
P pneumonia
R CNS damage
E emboli (or other lung obstruction)
S spasms (neuromuscular impairment)
S sac damage (lung dz: atelectasis, COPD, asthma)
What are common signs and symptoms of respiratory acidosis?
N: CNS depression, confusion, HA
C: low BP, high HR, dysrhythmia
R: hypoventilation
S: diaphoresis, flushing
Explain the physiology of respiratory acidosis.
Something causes the patient to hypoventilation. During hypoventilation, CO2 is not being excreted and builds up in the body, increasing the acid content of the blood. Excess acid causes vasodilation, which causes many of the symptoms seen in respiratory acidosis. The body compensates by stimulating the kidneys to secrete acid through the urine and to produce more HCO3 in order to increase the pH of the blood.
A patient is post-opt from knee surgery. The patient has been receiving Morphine 4 mg IV every 2 hours. You notice the patient is exhibiting a respiratory rate of 8 and is extremely drowsy. Which of the following conditions is the patient at risk for?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Hypokalemia
D. Metabolic acidosis
What are the interventions you will take in this situation?
A. Respiratory acidosis.
The patient is experiencing respiratory depression and hypoventilation, which will increase the PaCO2 and decrease the pH.
Interventions:
- stop IV infusion
- administer oxygen
- provide respiratory assistance (deep breathing, ventilator)
A patient attempted to commit suicide by ingesting a bottle of Aspirin. Which of the following conditions is this patient at risk for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
What are the interventions you will take in this situation?
C. Respiratory alkalosis
Aspirin toxicity can cause hyperventilation, fever, hypokalemia.
Interventions:
- administer IV NaHCO3
- slow down breathing (deep breathing, paper bag, ventilator)
- administer K+ if needed
Respiratory alkalosis can affect other electrolyte levels in the body. Which of the following electrolyte levels can also be affected in this condition?
A. Calcium and sodium levels
B. Potassium and sodium levels
C. Calcium and potassium levels
D. Potassium and phosphate levels
C. Calcium and Potassium levels
Respiratory alkalosis causes low CO2 levels in the blood. As a result, H+ will move out of the cells, and K+ and Ca++ will move into the cells to maintain ion balance. This causes hypokalemia and hypocalcemia.