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NCLEX/CGFNS Review Notes in Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation

by Lyle, RN
Downloaded from Pinoy RN | www.PinoyRN.co.nr

ABG Simplified

Three (3) important values:

NORMAL VALUES
pH 7.35-7.45
HCO3 22-26 mmol/L
PCO2 35-45 mm Hh

pH - low means acidosis, high means alkalosis


HCO3 - low means metabolic acidosis, high means metabolic alkalosis
PCO2 - low means respiratory alkalosis, high means respiratory acidosis

Steps in ABG interpretation


1. check pH, is it high or low?
2. check HCO3, is it high or low?
3. check PCO2, is it high or low?
4. choose interpretataion that is consistent with pH

example:
pH = 7.10
HCO3 = 24
PCO2 = 55

pH=7.10
analysis: this is below the normal range, therefore ACIDOSIS

HCO3=24
analysis: this is within normal range, therefore NORMAL

PCO2=55
analysis: this is above the normal range, therefore RESPIRATORY
ACIDOSIS

To make the final interpretation, choose the one that is consistent with the pH.

In the above example, the pH is ACIDOSIS.. therefore, our example above is a case of
RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS.

Check out Pinoy RN’s Online ABG interpreter (NurseCalc) at www.PinoyRN.co.nr

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