ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS INTERPRETATION STUDY GUIDE
2024--2025- TOP SCORE
Acid-Base Balance
Physiological equilibrium of acids and bases in blood.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Test measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
PaO2
Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.
pH
Measure of acidity or alkalinity in blood.
PaCO2
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.
Bicarbonate
Buffering agent regulating blood pH levels.
Respiratory Acidosis
Condition due to increased carbon dioxide retention.
Respiratory Alkalosis
Condition due to decreased carbon dioxide levels.
Metabolic Acidosis
Condition caused by excess acid or loss of bicarbonate.
Metabolic Alkalosis
Condition caused by excess bicarbonate or loss of acid.
Normal ABG Values
Standard reference ranges for arterial blood gas results.
Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve
Graph showing relationship between oxygen saturation and PaO2.
Compensation
Physiological adjustments to maintain acid-base balance.
Oxygen Saturation
, Percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.
ABG Interpretation Steps
Systematic approach to analyze arterial blood gas results.
Posttest Requirements
Achieve 84% to receive contact hours.
Contact Hours
Educational credits for completing the learning packet.
Patient Care Providers
Professionals responsible for patient health management.
Acid-Base Disorders
Conditions resulting from imbalances in acid-base equilibrium.
Education & Development
Department overseeing nursing education and training.
Florida Board of Nursing
Regulatory body for nursing practice in Florida.
North Carolina Nurses Association
Professional organization for nurses in North Carolina.
pH
Measurement of blood acidity or alkalinity.
Hydrogen ions (H+)
Influence blood pH; more H+ lowers pH.
Normal pH range
7.35 to 7.45 for healthy blood.
Acidic blood
pH below 7.35 indicates acidity.
Alkalotic blood
pH above 7.45 indicates alkalinity.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
By-product of metabolism affecting blood pH.
Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
Formed from CO2 and H2O in blood.
2024--2025- TOP SCORE
Acid-Base Balance
Physiological equilibrium of acids and bases in blood.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
Test measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
PaO2
Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.
pH
Measure of acidity or alkalinity in blood.
PaCO2
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.
Bicarbonate
Buffering agent regulating blood pH levels.
Respiratory Acidosis
Condition due to increased carbon dioxide retention.
Respiratory Alkalosis
Condition due to decreased carbon dioxide levels.
Metabolic Acidosis
Condition caused by excess acid or loss of bicarbonate.
Metabolic Alkalosis
Condition caused by excess bicarbonate or loss of acid.
Normal ABG Values
Standard reference ranges for arterial blood gas results.
Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve
Graph showing relationship between oxygen saturation and PaO2.
Compensation
Physiological adjustments to maintain acid-base balance.
Oxygen Saturation
, Percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen.
ABG Interpretation Steps
Systematic approach to analyze arterial blood gas results.
Posttest Requirements
Achieve 84% to receive contact hours.
Contact Hours
Educational credits for completing the learning packet.
Patient Care Providers
Professionals responsible for patient health management.
Acid-Base Disorders
Conditions resulting from imbalances in acid-base equilibrium.
Education & Development
Department overseeing nursing education and training.
Florida Board of Nursing
Regulatory body for nursing practice in Florida.
North Carolina Nurses Association
Professional organization for nurses in North Carolina.
pH
Measurement of blood acidity or alkalinity.
Hydrogen ions (H+)
Influence blood pH; more H+ lowers pH.
Normal pH range
7.35 to 7.45 for healthy blood.
Acidic blood
pH below 7.35 indicates acidity.
Alkalotic blood
pH above 7.45 indicates alkalinity.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
By-product of metabolism affecting blood pH.
Carbonic acid (H2CO3)
Formed from CO2 and H2O in blood.
