Arterial Blood Gases (ABG's) latest questions and answers all are correct graded A+

What is an ABG? - Answer-a measurement of the partial pressure of O2, CO2, pH, and HCO3 in arterial blood Who normally draws this bloodwork? Where is it drawn from? - Answer-Respiratory therapists draw for this profile most commonly from the radial, brachial, and femoral arteries. What is acidosis? - Answer-It is characterized by an abundance of H+ ions in the arterial blood, with a pH of less than 7.35. What are the acids? - Answer-H+, CO2, and H2CO3 (carbonic acid) How are acids produced? - Answer-They are produced during metabolic processes. How are acids excreted from the body? - Answer-Some exit via the lungs; others are buffered and excreted via kidneys. What is alkalosis? - Answer-It is characterized by a decrease of H+ ions in the arterial blood, with a pH of more than 7.45. What are the bases? - Answer-HCO3 (bicarbonate) What is a buffer? - Answer-A chemical substance that reduces changes in systemic pH by either releasing or binding H+ ions. It is considered to be a moment by moment regulation. Why is CO2 considered a "potential acid"? - Answer-Because it forms carbonic acid when combined with H2O. What are compensatory mechanisms? - Answer-Mechanisms that try to prevent large changes in pH and/or attempt to correct alterations in acid-base balance; compensatory mechanisms ALWAYS alter the pH towards a normal level.Give 2 examples of compensatory mechanisms. - Answer-Lungs and Kidneys What is partial pressure? - Answer-Pressure exerted by a single gas. What is the goal in the regulation of pH? - Answer-To maintain or restore body pH to a normal level - either through buffers or compensatory mechanisms. What are some examples of buffers? - Answer-proteins, carbonic acid - bicarbonate, phosphate How do the lungs function as a compensatory mechanism? - Answer-By expiration, in which CO2 is eliminated from the body, thereby reducing the amount of acids. (note that the lungs cannot eliminate H+ ions) How is additional expiration from the lungs initiated? What is the timeframe involved? - Answer-Through chemoreceptors in the brain. It occurs within 1-3 minutes of detected imbalance, and lasts 12-24 hours. How do the kidneys function as a compensatory mechanism? - Answer-In alkalosis : they excrete HCO3 In acidosis : they excrete H+ in addition to increasing production and retention of HCO3 What is the timeframe involved in kidney compensation? - Answer-It begins to work within approximately 24 hours and continues until pH is WNL What is the normal range for pH? - Answer-7.35 - 7.45 What are the normal limits for PCO2? - Answer-35 - 45 mmHg What are the normal limits for HCO3? - Answer-22 - 26 mEq/L What is the normal range for PO2? - Answer-80-100 mmHg