10.01 Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpretation for CCRN Review

Overview

1. pH
   
   1. Normal Range → pH 7.35-7.45
   2. Acididosis →pH < 7.35
   3. Alkalosis → pH >7.45
2. CO2 (Respiratory) → Acid
   1. Normal Range 35-45
   2. Acidosis → CO2 > 45
   3. Alkalosis → CO2 < 35
3. HCO3 (Metabolic) → Base
   1. Normal Range 23-27
   2. Acidosis → HCO3 <23
   3. Alkalosis → HCO3 >35
4. Interpretation
   1. Assess the pH
      1. Is it acidosis or alkalosis?
      2. Uncompensated ?
         1. pH is less than 7.35 or greater than 7.45
      3. Compensated?
         1. pH is in normal range 7.35-7.45
   2. Assess CO2 → Respiratory
      1. Is it acidosis or alkalosis?
   3. Assess HCO3 → Metabolic
      1. Is it acidosis or alkalosis?
   4. If pH is acidosis than see which (CO2 or HCO3) is ALSO acidosis
      1. If CO2 is acidosis than it is respiratory acidosis
      2. If HCO3 is acidosis than it is metabolic acidosis
      3. If BOTH are acidosis than it is MIXED
   5. If pH is alkalosis than see which (CO2 or HCO3) is ALSO alkalosis
      1. If CO2 is alkalosis than it is respiratory alkalosis
      2. If HCO3 is alkalosis than it is metabolic alkalosis
      3. If BOTH are alkalosis than it is MIXED