Foundations Of Critical Care Nursing
(FCCN) Level 1- Mayo Clinic Study
Guide Test Exam with Correct
Verified and Well Analyzed Answers
Graded A+
PaO2 definition and value
Partial pressure of oxygen in the blood, normal value is 70 to 100.
SaO2 definition and value
Oxygen saturation, the amount of oxygen carried by the red blood
cells, normal value is 92% to 100%
pH definition and value
Overall reflection of acid-base balance in the body, normal value is
7.35 to 7.45.
PaCO2 definition and value
Acid by-product of cell metabolism that drives and reflects
ventilation, normal value is 35 to 45.
HCO3 definition and value
Base that assists in removing excess acids, normal value is 22 to 26.
What are the indications to draw an ABG?
- somnolence or change in level of consciousness
- respiratory decompensation
,- metabolic imbalances
- evaluation of changes to respiratory status or monitoring ventilator
settings
What are the lab values indicating acidosis?
- pH less than 7.35
- PaCO2 greater than 45
- HCO3 less than 22
What are the lab values indicating alkalosis?
- pH greater than 7.45
- PaCO2 less than 35
- HCO3 greater than 26
What values indicate hypoxemia?
- PaO2 of less than 70
- SaO2 of less than 92%
What value indicates excessive oxygen therapy?
PaO2 greater than 100
What is compensation?
The body tries to return pH to normal when CO2 or HCO3 levels cause
an imbalance
What lab value shows full compensation?
A normal pH
What indicates partial compensation?
When the pH is not fully normalized
How do we decide what type of imbalance it is if the body is fully
compensated?
Decide if the pH value is closer to the acidotic or alkalotic value
Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory acidosis
- caused by retaining CO2 from hypoventilation
- presents as a headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by improving ventilation
,How does the body compensate for respiratory acidosis?
The kidneys work slowly to retain HCO3
Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory alkalosis
- caused by blowing off too much CO2 during hyperventilation
- presents as headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by decreasing tidal volume, relieving anxiety, controlling
pain, and correcting hypoxia
How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
The kidneys work slowly to excrete HCO3
Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic acidosis
- caused by abnormal metabolism, increased acid retention, and
decreased HCO3
- presents as Kussmaul respirations, tachycardia, headache,
weakness, nausea/vomiting, or abdominal pain
- treated by correcting renal failure, HCO3 replacement, control
diarrhea, and improving perfusion
How does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?
The lungs work quickly to blow of excess CO2 with hyperventilation
Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic alkalosis
- caused by losing acid by vomiting or NG suction, K+ or Cl- loss
resulting in retaining bases, and increased HCO3
- presents as confusion, muscle cramps, or shallow respirations
- treated by restoring fluids and electrolytes and limiting alkaline
intake
How does the body compensate for metabolic alkalosis?
The lungs work to hold onto CO2 by causing hypoventilation
What are the consequences of a low pH?
Cardiac contractions decrease and so do the vascular response to
catecholamines and drugs in the body
What are the consequences of a high pH?
, Impairs the oxygenation of tissues and neuromuscular function
What conditions cause respiratory alkalosis?
- anxiety attacks
- use of stimulants
- high levels of pain
- iatrogenic causes
- hypoxemia
- fever
- sepsis
- salicylate poisoning
- pregnancy
- pulmonary edema
- pulmonary vascular disease
What conditions cause metabolic acidosis?
- DKA
- starvation
- shock
- lactic acidosis
- renal failure
- salicylate toxicity
- diarrhea
- pancreatic or intestinal fistula
- Cl- retention from TPN
What conditions cause respiratory acidosis?
- CNS depression
- analgesics and sedatives
- pneumonia
- COPD
- neuromuscular disease
- pneumothorax
- pulmonary embolism
- obesity
- kyphoscoliosis
What are the steps to interpreting ABGs?
(FCCN) Level 1- Mayo Clinic Study
Guide Test Exam with Correct
Verified and Well Analyzed Answers
Graded A+
PaO2 definition and value
Partial pressure of oxygen in the blood, normal value is 70 to 100.
SaO2 definition and value
Oxygen saturation, the amount of oxygen carried by the red blood
cells, normal value is 92% to 100%
pH definition and value
Overall reflection of acid-base balance in the body, normal value is
7.35 to 7.45.
PaCO2 definition and value
Acid by-product of cell metabolism that drives and reflects
ventilation, normal value is 35 to 45.
HCO3 definition and value
Base that assists in removing excess acids, normal value is 22 to 26.
What are the indications to draw an ABG?
- somnolence or change in level of consciousness
- respiratory decompensation
,- metabolic imbalances
- evaluation of changes to respiratory status or monitoring ventilator
settings
What are the lab values indicating acidosis?
- pH less than 7.35
- PaCO2 greater than 45
- HCO3 less than 22
What are the lab values indicating alkalosis?
- pH greater than 7.45
- PaCO2 less than 35
- HCO3 greater than 26
What values indicate hypoxemia?
- PaO2 of less than 70
- SaO2 of less than 92%
What value indicates excessive oxygen therapy?
PaO2 greater than 100
What is compensation?
The body tries to return pH to normal when CO2 or HCO3 levels cause
an imbalance
What lab value shows full compensation?
A normal pH
What indicates partial compensation?
When the pH is not fully normalized
How do we decide what type of imbalance it is if the body is fully
compensated?
Decide if the pH value is closer to the acidotic or alkalotic value
Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory acidosis
- caused by retaining CO2 from hypoventilation
- presents as a headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by improving ventilation
,How does the body compensate for respiratory acidosis?
The kidneys work slowly to retain HCO3
Causes, assessment, and treatment of respiratory alkalosis
- caused by blowing off too much CO2 during hyperventilation
- presents as headache, tachycardia, confusion, or restlessness
- treated by decreasing tidal volume, relieving anxiety, controlling
pain, and correcting hypoxia
How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
The kidneys work slowly to excrete HCO3
Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic acidosis
- caused by abnormal metabolism, increased acid retention, and
decreased HCO3
- presents as Kussmaul respirations, tachycardia, headache,
weakness, nausea/vomiting, or abdominal pain
- treated by correcting renal failure, HCO3 replacement, control
diarrhea, and improving perfusion
How does the body compensate for metabolic acidosis?
The lungs work quickly to blow of excess CO2 with hyperventilation
Causes, assessment, and treatment of metabolic alkalosis
- caused by losing acid by vomiting or NG suction, K+ or Cl- loss
resulting in retaining bases, and increased HCO3
- presents as confusion, muscle cramps, or shallow respirations
- treated by restoring fluids and electrolytes and limiting alkaline
intake
How does the body compensate for metabolic alkalosis?
The lungs work to hold onto CO2 by causing hypoventilation
What are the consequences of a low pH?
Cardiac contractions decrease and so do the vascular response to
catecholamines and drugs in the body
What are the consequences of a high pH?
, Impairs the oxygenation of tissues and neuromuscular function
What conditions cause respiratory alkalosis?
- anxiety attacks
- use of stimulants
- high levels of pain
- iatrogenic causes
- hypoxemia
- fever
- sepsis
- salicylate poisoning
- pregnancy
- pulmonary edema
- pulmonary vascular disease
What conditions cause metabolic acidosis?
- DKA
- starvation
- shock
- lactic acidosis
- renal failure
- salicylate toxicity
- diarrhea
- pancreatic or intestinal fistula
- Cl- retention from TPN
What conditions cause respiratory acidosis?
- CNS depression
- analgesics and sedatives
- pneumonia
- COPD
- neuromuscular disease
- pneumothorax
- pulmonary embolism
- obesity
- kyphoscoliosis
What are the steps to interpreting ABGs?
