Interpretation
Oxygen level
Carbon Dioxide Level
pH
Bicarbonate level
ABG Analysis
pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCO2: 35-45mmHg
HCO3: 22-26/28 mEq/L
PaO2: > 80mmHg
Oxygen Saturation >95%
Analysis
pH =Alkalosis
pH =Acidosis
PaCO2 = Respiratory
PaCO2 = Respiratory
HCO3 = Metabolic
pH PaCO2 HCO3
Resp Acid.
Resp Alk.
Metab Acid
Metab Alk
Respiratory Acidosis
Pneumonia
Asthma
CHF
Respiratory Acidosis
pH PaCO2
Respiratory Alkalosis
Anything which greatly increases
respiratory rate.
Fever
Pain
Anxiety
Overvenitilation with a mechanical venitalator
Decreased K+
Respiratory Alkalosis
pH PaCO2
Metabolic Acidosis
Anything which increases the
accumulation of acids or decreases the
amount of bicarbonate in the body.
Renal failure
Loss of bases from diarrhea
Increased K+
Diuretic therapy which causes HCO3 loss
Metabolic Acidosis
pH HCO3
Metabolic Alkalosis
Anything which decreases H ions in
The body or increases bicarbonate.
Prolonged vomiting
Metabolic Alkalosis
pH HCO3
Determining ABG’s
First, Look at the pH.
It can be high >7.45 (alkalosis)
It can be low <7.35 (acidosis)
It can be normal 7.35- 7.45 (normal)
Determining ABG’s
A normal pH may indicate perfectly
normal blood gases, or it may be an
indication of a compensated imbalance.
A compensated imbalance is one in
which the body has been able to correct
the pH by either respiratory or
metabolic changes (depending on the
primary problem)
Example of compensation
Pt. With primary metabolic acidosis
starts out with a low bicarbonate level
but a normal carbon dioxide level. Soon
afterward, the lungs try to compensate
for the imbalance by exhaling large
amounts of carbon dioxide.
(hyperventilation)
Determine Primary Cause
of Disturbance