Abg

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I bekieve there was a previous post regarding the interpretation of ABG's but I can't seem to find it. Could anybody inform me the the three easy steps to interpret ABG's? Thanks.

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When interpreting ABG's you first look at the Ph. It should be 7.35-7.45. If it is above 7.45 it is alkalotic. Think about the "K" in this word.(kick up the Ph). If it is below 7.35 is is acidotic(think about the "D") it means sown the PH. Next you look at the PCO2 and the HCO3. The PCO shoule be between 32-45. The Hco3 should be between 20-26. Depending on whether they're up or down brings you to the final step. If they are opposites it's Respiratory. If it is equal it is metabolic.

The Mnemonic to remember is RO(respiratory,opposites) or ME (metabolic equal) ROME

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

hi, ponce0321!

there actually have been many, many threads about interpreting abgs. here are few of them:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/easy-way-remember-abgs-144947.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/abgs-compensation-156641.html - abgs and compensation thread

http://maagnursing.com/abg/ - this is an abg and acid/base balance tutorial. you do not have to register to go through the tutorial.

http://www.the-abg-site.com/ - "the abg site". six easy steps to accurately interpret arterial blood gasses from ed4nurses.

http://web.indstate.edu/mary/abgdemo.html - an abg and abg analysis tutorial by a nursing instructor at indiana state university. http://www-isu.indstate.edu/mary/abgpract.htm - this is a quiz to test what you learned (includes answers).

welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

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Specializes in Neuro.

Huh. That ROME thing would have been nice to know for my test last week. No one taught us that.

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Thanks for all your help.

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