ABG's

RN BSN 2009 · Mar 27, 2009

I go through a step system

What is the pH?

What is the PaO2?

What is the PCO2?

What is the Bicarb?

Is it compensated or uncompensated?

mRpeNa · Mar 27, 2009

i have a test coming up and i am sooo nervous about it!

Someday-C.R.N.A. · Mar 27, 2009

Definitely gotta look at those things, pretty much just like that.

Telling alkalosis vs. acidosis is the easy part. Just look at pH. First thing to look at. If its low its acidosis, high is alkalosis.

Then determine if its resp or met, then comp or uncomp. Sometimes compensation can make things easier to tell because if the Pt. is compensating with resp, its probably met and vice versa.

I had a great and terribly easy breakdown from one of my instructors, I'm not sure where it is right now but if I find it I'll post it up. I'm an LVN and I was explaining ABG to an RN the last time I worked ICU (He was new to ICU and hadn't done it since school). Point is, its pretty easy once you get it down and apply it a little.

I haven't done it in a while myself now, but I think that's right

mRpeNa · Mar 27, 2009

Definitely gotta look at those things, pretty much just like that.
Telling alkalosis vs. acidosis is the easy part. Just look at pH. First thing to look at. If its low its acidosis, high is alkalosis.
Then determine if its resp or met, then comp or uncomp. Sometimes compensation can make things easier to tell because if the Pt. is compensating with resp, its probably met and vice versa.
I had a great and terribly easy breakdown from one of my instructors, I'm not sure where it is right now but if I find it I'll post it up. I'm an LVN and I was explaining ABG to an RN the last time I worked ICU (He was new to ICU and hadn't done it since school). Point is, its pretty easy once you get it down and apply it a little.
I haven't done it in a while myself now, but I think that's right

thank you i would aprreciate the break down~:wink2:

Someday-C.R.N.A. · Mar 27, 2009

I'm going to look for it, but I'm not sure if I have it. I left alot of stuff at home the last time I took leave. I wish I would've kept that ICU stuff atleast.

I just went and Googled ABG practice and there are a ton of online practice tests. I actually think this is fun. Just don't let yourself get nervous about it, look at it like a game. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. I was nervous about it at first too, but now I actually like it.

And remember this, if the pH isn't wnl, its NOT compensated. It may be compensatING, but not compensatED. I remember that little trick got some people.

Try some of those online tests and have some fun with it. If you find the ones that actually explain why you're right or wrong, all the better.

mRpeNa · Mar 27, 2009

i'm going to look for it, but i'm not sure if i have it. i left alot of stuff at home the last time i took leave. i wish i would've kept that icu stuff atleast.
i just went and googled abg practice and there are a ton of online practice tests. i actually think this is fun. just don't let yourself get nervous about it, look at it like a game. the more relaxed you are, the easier it will be. i was nervous about it at first too, but now i actually like it.
and remember this, if the ph isn't wnl, its not compensated. it may be compensating, but not compensated. i remember that little trick got some people.
try some of those online tests and have some fun with it. if you find the ones that actually explain why you're right or wrong, all the better.

thank you!

Natingale, EdD, RN · Mar 27, 2009

Yeah i agree with taking the two apart

Acidosis -- Acidic -- pH is low ( 45)

no we do the opposite

Alkie - pH high (>7.45) -- co2 low (

35 45 same in pH and CO2 -- just add the 7 in front for the pH

if someone has a low pH (you know thats an acid just by common knowledge) the next thing you want to look for is a high co2 to confirm your suspicion of acidosis

did your class go into hco3 yet?

mRpeNa · Mar 27, 2009

Yeah i agree with taking the two apart
Acidosis -- Acidic -- pH is low ( 45)
no we do the opposite
Alkie - pH high (>7.45) -- co2 low (
35 45 same in pH and CO2 -- just add the 7 in front for the pH
if someone has a low pH (you know thats an acid just by common knowledge) the next thing you want to look for is a high co2 to confirm your suspicion of acidosis
did your class go into hco3 yet?

NO ALL SHE SAID WAS TO KNOW THE ABG's LEVELS

mRpeNa · Mar 27, 2009

does that have to do with metabolic?

Natingale, EdD, RN · Mar 27, 2009

ya i dont want to confuse you anymore than you already are so we'll save metabolic for another time k?

Someday-C.R.N.A. · Mar 27, 2009

OK, I don't have the thing from my instructor. Wish I did, it was really good.

BUT, I did find something in one of my books that is kinda like what she put out.

pH low = Acidosis

pH high = Alkalosis

(duh)

Now determine if its resp or met.

Look at PaCO2

If its respiratory, PaCO2 will be high or low inversely to pH (High PaCO2, low pH)

If its metabloic, PaCO2 will be normal

(This obviously doesn't account for compensation but you get the idea)

Now look at Hco3

Normal limits = respiratory

High = suspect met alk

Low = suspect met acid

BE will be normal for resp, low for met acid, high for met alk

But wait, all you need is the normal values??

Sorry, I though you were interpreting them. Nevermind all that stuff if all you need is the normals, it'll just mess you up. Definitely master the normal values and what they mean. The rest will fall right into place trust me.