ABGs

[nursemommyof3]

I can't keep ABGs in my head. I know the ranges of ph, HCO3, and PaO2, etc, but which way is what (metabolic acidosis, etc) I can't keep straight. Anyone have any tips or good memory tips?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

you want the rome mnemonic.

the mnemonic

rome

means the following

:

r

espiratory

o

pposite

• ph

  elevated

  pco2

  diminished

  =

  respiratory alkalosis

  
  

• ph

  diminished

  pco2

  elevated

  =

  respiratory acidosis

  
  

m

etabolic

e

qual

• ph

  elevated

  hco3

  elevated

  =

  metabolic alkalosis

  
  

• ph

  diminished

  hco3

  diminished

  =

  metabolic acidosis

  
  

it's on post #25 of the thread cited below. there are a whole bunch of weblinks to tutorials and helpful websites on abgs on post #46 of this same sticky thread on the nursing student assistance forum:

• https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/pathophysiology-p-fluid-electrolyte-resources-145201.html - pathophysiology/ a & p/ microbiology/ fluid & electrolyte resources

the co2 always refers to the respiratory component; the hco3 always refers to the metabolic component; the ph refers to acidosis or alkalosis. so, whichever is most out of whack, co2 or hco3, tells you if you have a respiratory or metabolic problem. the ph tells you if it's acidosis or alkalosis. all the other values tell you how the body is trying to compensate and if it is either successful or failing at it. however, these 3 values are the only 3 you need to know to diagnose abgs: ph, co2 and hco3.

[ukstudent]

Ac becomes before Al. So acidosis is less than 7.35, alkolosis is more than 7.45.

Only 2 reasons for being acidotic, too much CO2 or not enough HCO3.

Only 2 reasons for being alkolotic, not enough CO2 or too much HCO3.

If the reason is to do with CO2 then is is termed respiratory, if it is to do with HCO3 then it s termed metabolic.

Get the book Fluid and Electrolytes made increadably easy, part of the made Incredibly Easy series. It explaines this and so much more.

[dab121504]

Just remember ROME

Respriatory

Opposite

Metabolic

Equal

This means that for anything respriatory the ph and Co2 will go opposite of each other(one up, one down, and vise versa)

Anything metabolic the ph and HCO3 will go in the same direction together.

An excellent book series is the incredibly easy series, they have one called Fluid and Electrolytes made incredibly easy...it REALLY helps. You can get it at amazon or most book stores. Hope this helps!