NUR ABG Interpretation
Hydrogen ions
Overproduction Respiratory Acidosis
Under-elimination
Metabolic Acidosis Causes: hypo-ventilation, asthma, brain
Bicarbonate ions
Causes: Insufficient supply of insulin (DM or Under-production trauma, atelectasis, CNS depressants, PNA,
DKA), excessive intake of ASA, high fat diet, Over-elimination pulmonary edema or emboli.
renal insufficiency, lactic acidosis, Manifestations: drowsiness, confusion,
malnutrition, severe diarrhea. ACIDOSIS hypoxia.
Hyperkalemia
Manifestations: Insufficient supply of Interventions: Encourage the client to
insulin (DM or DKA), excessive intake of Hypercalcemia
TCDB, incentive spirometry, look at the use
ASA, high fat diet, renal insufficiency, of CNS depressants. Antidote consideration
malnutrition, severe diarrhea. Bipap/intubation?
Normal ABG Values
Interventions Hydration, insulin, anti-
diarrheal, sodium bicarb – as prescribed pH 7.35 – 7.45
CO2 35 – 45
HCO-3 22 – 26
Metabolic Alkalosis
pO2 80 – 100 Respiratory Alkalosis
Causes: diuretics, excessive vomiting and
NGT suctioning, excessive sodium Causes: hyper ventilation, hysteria, fever,
bicarbonate intake. ALKALOSIS pain, CNS stimulants
Manifestations: Muscle cramping,
Hypokalemia Manifestations: Tachypnea; dizziness,
paresthesia’s (around mouth and on toes), Hypocalcemia lightheadedness, perioral numbness,
hypotension (falls), tetany, decreased paresthesias
respiratory effort Interventions: Coach breathing, consider
Interventions CNS depressants (as prescribed), treat pain
Hydrogen ions
(if needed), ensure airway patency (suction,
Hydrogen ions
Overproduction Respiratory Acidosis
Under-elimination
Metabolic Acidosis Causes: hypo-ventilation, asthma, brain
Bicarbonate ions
Causes: Insufficient supply of insulin (DM or Under-production trauma, atelectasis, CNS depressants, PNA,
DKA), excessive intake of ASA, high fat diet, Over-elimination pulmonary edema or emboli.
renal insufficiency, lactic acidosis, Manifestations: drowsiness, confusion,
malnutrition, severe diarrhea. ACIDOSIS hypoxia.
Hyperkalemia
Manifestations: Insufficient supply of Interventions: Encourage the client to
insulin (DM or DKA), excessive intake of Hypercalcemia
TCDB, incentive spirometry, look at the use
ASA, high fat diet, renal insufficiency, of CNS depressants. Antidote consideration
malnutrition, severe diarrhea. Bipap/intubation?
Normal ABG Values
Interventions Hydration, insulin, anti-
diarrheal, sodium bicarb – as prescribed pH 7.35 – 7.45
CO2 35 – 45
HCO-3 22 – 26
Metabolic Alkalosis
pO2 80 – 100 Respiratory Alkalosis
Causes: diuretics, excessive vomiting and
NGT suctioning, excessive sodium Causes: hyper ventilation, hysteria, fever,
bicarbonate intake. ALKALOSIS pain, CNS stimulants
Manifestations: Muscle cramping,
Hypokalemia Manifestations: Tachypnea; dizziness,
paresthesia’s (around mouth and on toes), Hypocalcemia lightheadedness, perioral numbness,
hypotension (falls), tetany, decreased paresthesias
respiratory effort Interventions: Coach breathing, consider
Interventions CNS depressants (as prescribed), treat pain
Hydrogen ions
(if needed), ensure airway patency (suction,
