ABG help

[tigerlilyrnstudent]

Does anyone have any good ways to memorize ABG values? :)

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

The values or how to interpret the values?

You pretty much just have to memorize the numbers. 7.35-7.45 is normal pH. CO2 is easy because it's 35-45 so it matches the pH as far as memorization goes.

Bicarb (HCO3) is trickier because every reference gives a different range. Essentially 22-26 is normal, but you might see anywhere from 21-28 in the range.

Interpretation is the trickier (at first) part but is quite easy once you learn it.

[tigerlilyrnstudent]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I never thought about looking at the CO2 values that way....I definitley know the normal values for pH, so remembering the CO2 values helps with that

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

ROME! Respiratory opposite, Metabolic Equal

Draw a grid. In place of the "thumbs" put up or down arrows as indicated.

pH :up: :down:

CO2

Answer Respiratory Alkalosis, Metabolic Alkalosis, Metabolic Acidosis, Metabolic Alkalosis

Hope that helps

[ErraticThinker]

I use the thumbs up/ thumbs down approach and it helps me the most.

What threw me off when i started at my facility is that they dont use bicarb, they use CO2 content and base excess.

Best thing to do is just do a bunch of example problems out. You can find different ones online or get them from your professor or clinical educator. The more you do them, the quicker you spot the patterns and recognize what they're trying to tell you.

[kenyohunt1]

ABG interpretation

too diff acute and chronic metabolic and respiratory disorders

acute (pH abnormal)

Compensated

pH normal but PC02 and HC03 rise and fall together

Partially compensated

Ph abnormal and PC02 and PC02 and HC03 rise and fall together

mixed

Alkalemic pH: respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis

Acidic pH: respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis

Respiratory Acidosis

Acute

pH -less that 7.35

PC02 -more than 45mmhg

HC03- normal

Partially Compensated

pH- less than 7.35, PC02 more than 45mmgh, HC03 more than 26mEq/L

Compensated- pH normal, PC02 more than 45, HC03 more than 26

Respiratory Alkalosis

Acute- pH more than 7.45, PC02 Less than 35, Hc03 normal

Partially Compensated- Ph more than 7.45, Pc02 less than 35, HC03 less than 22

Compensated- pH normal, PC02 less than 35, HC03 less than 22

Metabolic Acidosis

Acute- pH less, than 7.35, PC02 Normal, HC03 less than 22

Partially Compensated- pH less than 7.35, PC02 less than 35, HC03 less than 22

Compensated- pH normal, PC02 less than 35, HC03 less than 22

Metabolic Alkalosis

Acute

pH more than 7.45, PC02 normal, HC03 more than 26

Partially Compensated- pH more than 7.45, PC02 more than 45, HC03 more than 26

Compensated- pH normal, PC02 more than 45, HC03 more than 26

Hope this helps and doesnt confuse you.