Interpreting Blood Gases

300g · Jul 9, 2009

This chart is helpful - S.T.A.B.L.E. Blood Gas Interpretation Chart

Blood gases just take practice. Is there something specific that you're having trouble with?

Here's something that might be helpful: Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation

rnnana · Aug 6, 2009

Unable to view the chart, and they charged 6$ to see it.

Bookworm14 · Aug 7, 2009

Blood gases just take practice. Is there something specific that you're having trouble with?

I worked adult critical care for almost 12 years and now I am in the NICU. I am very familiar with arterial blood gases but would like to know more about capillary blood gases. How do they correlate with ABG's? What situations or results would lead you to want an ABG rather than a CBG?

Thank you.

300g · Aug 10, 2009

Unable to view the chart, and they charged 6$ to see it.

It's worth the $6 to purchase it, or take the S.T.A.B.L.E. course. I don't think it would be right for me to post a copy of their chart.

I worked adult critical care for almost 12 years and now I am in the NICU. I am very familiar with arterial blood gases but would like to know more about capillary blood gases. How do they correlate with ABG's? What situations or results would lead you to want an ABG rather than a CBG?
Thank you.

You're going to be able to determine your acid/base balance with a CBG. pH and CO2 should be pretty close. Where ABGs are better than CBGs is when you need a more accurate PaO2... for example, a very sick PPHN you will probably want your Pa02 greater than 100 and you won't get an accurate reading with a CBG.

Two other quick notes about blood gases... some blood gas machines will calculate your HCO3 based on your CO2, so they will not report an accurate reflection of HCO3. You will see this when your HCO3 value dramatically changes between gases. HCO3 (renal response) is not that rapid.

Also, to get an accurate lactate, you will need an ABG, not CBG.

Hope that helps!