ABGs

• What is the normal range for pH in ABGs?

  7.35-7.45
• What is the normal range for PaCO2 in ABGs?

  4.7-6.0
• What is the normal range for PaO2 in ABGs?

  11-13
• What is the normal range for HCO3- in ABGs?

  22-26 mEq/L
• What is the normal range for base excess in ABGs?

  -2 to +2
• Fill in the gaps

  A) Resp acidosis

  B) Resp alkalosis

  C) Resp acidosis

  D) Metabolic comp

  E) Resp alkalosis

  F) Metabolic comp

  
• Fill in the gaps

  A) Metabolic acidosis

  B) Metabolic alkalosis

  C) Metabolic acidosis

  D) Resp comp

  E) Metabolic alkalosis

  F) Resp comp

  
• How would type 1 resp failure show on ABGs?

  Low paO2 (hypoxia) + normal paCo2 (normocapnia)
• How would type 2 resp failure show on an ABG?

  Low paO2 (hypoxia) + high paCO2 (hypercapnia)
• What would resp alkalosis show on an ABG?

  High pH

  Low CO2
• What are some causes of resp alkalosis?

  Anxiety (e.g. panic attack)

  Pain (inc resp rate)

  Hypoxia

  PE

  Pneumothorax

  Iatrogenic (e.g. excessive mechanical vent)
• What would metabolic acidosis show on an ABG?

  Low pH

  Low HCO3-
• What would metabolic alkalosis show on an ABG?

  High pH

  High HCO3-
• What are some causes of metabolic alkalosis?

  GI loss of H+ (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea)

  Renal loss of H+ (e.g. HF , thiazide diuretics, nephrotic syndrome)
• What would mixed resp and metabolic acidosis show on an ABG?

  Low pH

  High CO2

  Low HCO3-
• What are some causes of mixed resp and metabolic acidosis?

  Cardiac arrest

  Multi-organ failure
• What would mixed resp and metabolic alkalosis show on an ABG?

  High pH

  Low CO2

  High HCO3-
• What are some causes of mixed resp and metabolic alkalosis?

  Diuretic use (+ liver cirrhosis)

  Excessive vent in COPD
• What would resp acidosis show on an ABG?

  Low pH

  High CO2
• What are some causes of resp acidosis?

  Resp depression

  Guillain-Barre

  Asthma

  COPD
• What causes resp acidosis?

  Hypoventilation
• What causes resp alkalosis?

  Hyperventilation