Acid Base

Balance
CH. 17
Interpretation of ABG

By Dr.
WHA
IS ABG
T
What is ABG

A Arterial

B Blood

G Gas
 ABG TESTING
Arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the acidity (pH)
in the blood from an artery
Measures the levels of oxygen
Measures carbon dioxide in the blood.

Purpose of the Test

ABG testing is used to check how well the lungs are
able to move oxygen into the blood

Remove carbon dioxide from the blood.

 Pathophysiology

As blood passes through

the lungs

oxygen moves into the

blood

ABG test uses blood

drawn from an artery, While Carbon dioxide moves
where the oxygen and out of the blood into the lungs
carbon dioxide levels can
be measured before they
enter body tissues
 What Factors
and
Manifestations
would require an
ABG Testing
 CNS
Depressio
n

Sleep
COPD Disorde
ABG r
Testin
g

Airway
Kidney
obstructio
Failure
n
Metabolic Metabolic
Alkalosis Acidosis
4 Main
Abnormal ABG
Results
Respiratory Respiratory
Acidosis Alkalosis
 Components of ABG
Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2).Measures the pressure
of oxygen dissolved in the blood and how well oxygen is able to
move from the airspace of the lungs into the blood.

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2).This measures

the pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood and how
well carbon dioxide is able to move out of the body.

PH.The pH measures hydrogen ions (H+) in blood.

Bicarbonate (HCO3).Bicarbonate is a chemical (buffer) that

keeps the pH of blood from becoming too acidic or too basic.
 Components of
ABG
Oxygen content (O2CT) Measures the amount of oxygen in
the blood.

oxygen saturation (O2Sat) values Measures how much of

theHemoglobinin the redBlood cellsis carrying oxygen
(O2).
 What is the PH
Level?

What is the PaCO2

Questions to
Level?

What is the HCO3

Level?

Ask
Is the Patients
System
Compensating?

What system is
compensating

Is it Full or Partial
compensation?
 PH Level
Less than 7.35 is Acidotic Higher than 7.45 is Alkalotic

PaCo2 Level
Less than 35 is Alkalotic Higher than 45 is Acidotic

HCO3
Less than 22 is Acidotic Higher than 26 is Alkalotic
Compensation

Compensation
Abnormal PaCo2 = Respiratory Compensation Abnormal HCo3 = Metabolic Compensation
Full Compensation = The PH is within Normal Level Partial Compensation = The PH is
abnormal
 Diagnosis/ Analysis of ABG

Disorder PH Primary Problem Compensation

in HCO3- in PaCO2
Metabolic acidosis
in HCO3- in PaCO2
Metabolic
alkalosis
in PaCO2 in [HCO3-]
Respiratory
acidosis
in PaCO2 in [HCO3-]
 Case Study

Mr. Jones have history of high blood pressure with diabetes. He was admitted last night to
the intensive care unit with the admitting diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis. His BBG
remains high in the 300s and he is on continuous regular insulin drip. His ABG result is:

PH: 7.27
PaCO2: 23 mmHg
[HCO3-]: 13 mEq/L

What is Mr. Jones Diagnosis? ______________________

Is he compensating? If yes, what system is compensating? ________________
What level of compensation is Mr. Jones? ___________________
 Case Studies/ ABG
Analysis
Interpretations
What is Mr. Jones Diagnosis? Metabolic Acidosis
Is he compensating? NO

The pH and HCO3- levels are both acidotic, so the

primary mechanism is a metabolic acidosis. The CO2
is normal, so there is no indication that the
respiratory system is compensating
 ABG Interpretation

Answe
r sheet
 Case Studies/ ABG
Analysis Interpretations

https://abg.ninja/abg
References
 A B
G

Questions