13-3 Arterial Blood gas interpretatio
Normal blood gas levels
Respiratory acidosis ❖ pH 7.35-7.45: The lower the number the Respiratory alkalosi
❖ pH < 7.35 more acidic you are. ❖ pH > 7.45
CO2 > 45 ❖ CO2 35-45: The greater the number the CO2 < 35
more acidic you become. C02 is
❖ Causes: controlled by respiration. ❖ Causes:
COPD ❖ HCO3 22-26: The lower the number the Hyperventilation
Barbiturate overDOSE more acidic you are. Bicarb is controlled Hypoxia
Chest wall abnormality via the kidneys PE
Severe pneumothorax Septicemia
Atelectasis Encephalitis,
Gullian-Barre syndrome Brain injury
Hypoventilation Salicylate poisoning
Fever,
❖ Symptoms: Stimulated respiratory center.
Rapid shallow respirations Mechanical hyperventilation
Decreased BP w/ vasodilation
Headache
Compensation ❖ Symptoms:
Hyperkalemia Think two chubby kids on a teeter totter, when one Seizures
is up the other is down and you have to have
Dysrhythmias Deep, rapid breathing,
something in normal range to achieve balance.
Drowsiness Hyperventilation
Disorientation ❖ If pH is normal range acid/ base is fully Tachycardia
Muscle weakness and compensated. Decreased bp
Hyperreflexia Hypokalemia
❖ If pH is out of range and C02 & HCO3 are Numbness and tingling
opposites then you have partial Lethargy and confusion
compensation.
Lightheadedness
❖ If pH is out of range but either CO2 or Nausea, vomiting
HC03 are normal the you are
Metabolic acidosis uncompensated.
❖ pH < 7.35 Metabolic alkalosis
HCO3 < 22 ❖ pH > 7.45
❖ Causes HCO3 > 26
Seizures
Deep, rapid breathing, ❖ Causes
Hyperventilation Severe vomiting
Tachycardia Gastric suction
Decreased bp Diuretic therapy
Hypokalemia Potassium deficit
Numbness and tingling Excess NaHCO3 intake
Lethargy and confusion Excess mineralocorticoids
Lightheadedness
Nausea, vomiting ❖ Symptoms
Restlessness
❖ Symptoms: Lethargy
Headache Tachycardia
Decreased BP Compensatory hypoventilation
Hyperkalemia Confusion
Muscle twitching Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Vasodilation ( warm and flushed Tremors
Dry skin) Muscle cramps
Nausea vomiting and diarrhea Tingling in fingers/ toes
Confusion and drowsiness
Kussmaul
Respirations(compensatory
hyperventilation)
www. SimpleNursing.com
Normal blood gas levels
Respiratory acidosis ❖ pH 7.35-7.45: The lower the number the Respiratory alkalosi
❖ pH < 7.35 more acidic you are. ❖ pH > 7.45
CO2 > 45 ❖ CO2 35-45: The greater the number the CO2 < 35
more acidic you become. C02 is
❖ Causes: controlled by respiration. ❖ Causes:
COPD ❖ HCO3 22-26: The lower the number the Hyperventilation
Barbiturate overDOSE more acidic you are. Bicarb is controlled Hypoxia
Chest wall abnormality via the kidneys PE
Severe pneumothorax Septicemia
Atelectasis Encephalitis,
Gullian-Barre syndrome Brain injury
Hypoventilation Salicylate poisoning
Fever,
❖ Symptoms: Stimulated respiratory center.
Rapid shallow respirations Mechanical hyperventilation
Decreased BP w/ vasodilation
Headache
Compensation ❖ Symptoms:
Hyperkalemia Think two chubby kids on a teeter totter, when one Seizures
is up the other is down and you have to have
Dysrhythmias Deep, rapid breathing,
something in normal range to achieve balance.
Drowsiness Hyperventilation
Disorientation ❖ If pH is normal range acid/ base is fully Tachycardia
Muscle weakness and compensated. Decreased bp
Hyperreflexia Hypokalemia
❖ If pH is out of range and C02 & HCO3 are Numbness and tingling
opposites then you have partial Lethargy and confusion
compensation.
Lightheadedness
❖ If pH is out of range but either CO2 or Nausea, vomiting
HC03 are normal the you are
Metabolic acidosis uncompensated.
❖ pH < 7.35 Metabolic alkalosis
HCO3 < 22 ❖ pH > 7.45
❖ Causes HCO3 > 26
Seizures
Deep, rapid breathing, ❖ Causes
Hyperventilation Severe vomiting
Tachycardia Gastric suction
Decreased bp Diuretic therapy
Hypokalemia Potassium deficit
Numbness and tingling Excess NaHCO3 intake
Lethargy and confusion Excess mineralocorticoids
Lightheadedness
Nausea, vomiting ❖ Symptoms
Restlessness
❖ Symptoms: Lethargy
Headache Tachycardia
Decreased BP Compensatory hypoventilation
Hyperkalemia Confusion
Muscle twitching Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Vasodilation ( warm and flushed Tremors
Dry skin) Muscle cramps
Nausea vomiting and diarrhea Tingling in fingers/ toes
Confusion and drowsiness
Kussmaul
Respirations(compensatory
hyperventilation)
www. SimpleNursing.com
