Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation - Summary Notes

ABG Interpretation
·
ABG taken from radial artery, and is more painful than VBG.


ABG used > VBG
during respiratory failure, DKA, Ventilated patient, renal failure.
·




·
VBG used > ABG when any acutely unwell with other conditions/wanting Lactate.


Reference Ranges:
Hypoxia Symptoms:
qH: 7.35-7.45
9982:11-13 4a/82.5-97.5mmHg
-



confusion
PaCO2: 4.7-6.0 23a/35.2-45 mmHg tachypnoca
-




HC85:22-26 mEq/L cyanosis
-




Lactate:0.5-2.8 mmol/h -

cold peripheries



9H: Hypercapnia Symptoms:

qH: 7.35-7.45 -


drowsiness
Bounding pulse
-




Indicates acidosis alkalosis. Retention flap
· -


or

-




Palmar Erythema

9a02:


9982:11-13 4a/82.5-97.5 mmHg on fresh air (21%)

normal Pabz oxygen therapy:abnormal, should be high.
· +




% normal baseline PaOz.
oxygen therapy 18 -
=




e.g. 43% oxygen therapy=>35k9a normal.


low Pabz normal,
+


SOB patient
=
venous sample.
very
·
no


unexpectedly low sp0z venous sample.
· =




PaCO2:


PaCO2: 4.7-6.0 23a/35.2-45 mmHg

Determines respiratory acidosis/allealosis,
·




or
respiratory compensation to primary metabolic acidosis/allealosis.


high PaCO2.6 respiratory
=
acidosis or

for metabolic alkalosis ifHCOsis
respiratory compensation primary high.

low PaCO2 6 respiratory
=

alkalosis or

for
respiratory compensation primary metabolic acidosis ifHCOsis low.