This document provides an overview of arterial blood gas interpretation. It begins by explaining the normal ranges for pH, PaCO2, and HCO3 and how values outside these ranges indicate acidosis or alkalosis. Several examples of arterial blood gas results are then given and broken down to indicate if they represent a respiratory or metabolic imbalance. The document also discusses compensation and provides charts of parameters for fully and partially compensated acid-base imbalances. It concludes with additional practice problems interpreting arterial blood gas results.

1. BY: MARIAM MESRAHI
ELINORE MATIGA
MEEQAT GENERAL HOSPITAL.
MADINA ,KSA
Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation

2.  APPROACH TO ABG

 & EXAMPLES

3.  Is it normal (7.35 to 7.45)
 Does it reflect acidosis ( less than 7.35)
 Does it reflect alkalosis (greater than
7.45)
 Label accordingly

4.  This is the respiratory component
 Is it normal ?
 Does it reflect alkalosis (less than
35)
 Does it reflect acidosis (greater than
45)
 Label accordingly

5.  This is the metabolic component
 Is it normal
 Does it reflect acidosis (less than 22)
 Does it reflect alkalosis (greater
than 26)
 Label accordingly

7.  pH of 7.33
 PaCO2 of 40 mmHg
 HCO3 of 20 mEq/L
 What does this indicate
 Break it down

8.  pH = acidosis
 PaCO2 = normal
 HCO3 = acidosis
 An abnormal HCO3 indicates a
metabolic problem

9. Metabolic
Acidosis Way to
go!!

10.  pH of 7.59
 PaCO2 of 29 mm Hg
 HCO3 of 24mEq/L
 What does this indicate
 Break it down

11.  pH = alkalosis
 PaCO2 = alkalosis
 HCO3 = normal
 An abnormal PaCO2 indicates a
respiratory problem

12. Great
Job!!

13.  pH of 7.25
 PaCO2 of 61 mmHg
 HCO3 of 26 mEq/L
 What does this indicate
 Break it down

14.  pH = acidosis
 PaCO2 = acidosis
 HCO3 = normal
 An abnormal PaCO2 indicates a
respiratory problem

15. You are
doing a
great job !!

16.  pH of 7.51
 PaCO2 of 44mmHg
 HCO3 of 56
 What does this indicate
 Break it down

17.  pH = alkalosis
 PaCO2 = normal
 HCO3 = alkalosis
 An abnormal HCO3 indicates a
metabolic problem

18. You have
become an
ABG prof !!

19.  R = Respiration
 O = Opposite Direction of PH
 M = Metabolic
 E = Equal direction of PH

20.  Occurs as the body begins to correct
the acid base imbalance
 pH will be normal or near normal if
total compensation
 pH will be abnormal if partial
compensation

21.  Both the PaCo2 & HCO3 will be
abnormal
 Respiratory imbalances are
compensated for by the renal
system
 Metabolic imbalances are
compensated for by the respiratory
system

22.  pH of 7.27
 PaCO2 of 27 mm Hg
 HCO3 of 10 mEq/l
 Note that both the PaCO2 & the
HCO3 are low

23.  Low pH = acidosis
 Low PaCO2 = alkalosis
 Low HCO3 = acidosis
 HCO3 corresponds with the pH
 This is a metabolic problem
 Metabolic acidosis with partial
compensation

24.  pH of 7.52
 PaCO2 of 47 mmHg
 HCO3 of 36 mEq/L
 What does this indicate
 Break it down

25.  pH = alkalosis
 PaCO2 = acidosis
 HCO3 = alkalosis
 Which 2 go together

26. You are
doing
great!!

27.  pH of 7.45
 PaCO2 of 50 mmHg
 HCO3 of 33 meq/L
 What does this indicate
 Break it down

28.  pH = normal
 PaCo2 = acidosis
 HCO3 = alkalosis
 Your pH leans toward the alkalosis side

29. You have
done great!!

31. Interpretation Practice:
 pH: 7.31 Right!
 PaCO2: 48 Try Again
 HCO3
-: 24 Try Again
 pH: 7.47 Try Again
 PaCO2 : 45 Right!
 HCO3
- : 33 Try Again
Resp.Acidosis
Resp.Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis
Resp.Alkalosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
Metabolic Acidosis

32. Interpretation Practice:
 pH: 7.20 Try Again
 PaCO2: 36 Try Again
 HCO3
-: 14 Right!
 pH: 7.50 Try Again
 PaCO2 : 29 Right!
 HCO3
- -: 22 Try Again
Metabolic Alkalosis
Resp.Acidosis
Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic Alkalosis
Resp.Alkalosis
Resp.Acidosis

33. Acid-Base Fully Compensated:
Parameters: pH PaCO2 HCO3
-
Metabolic
Alkalosis
Normal
>7.40
Metabolic
Acidosis
Normal
<7.40
Respiratory
Alkalosis
Normal
>7.40
Respiratory
Acidosis
Normal
<7.40

34. Interpretation Practice:
 pH: 7.36 Try Again
 PaCO2: 56 Try Again
 HCO3
-: 31.4 Right!
 pH: 7.43 Right!
 PaCO2 : 32 Try Again
 HCO3: 21 Try Again
Compensated Resp.Alkalosis
Compensated Metabolic Acidosis
Compensated Resp.Acidosis
Compensated Resp.Alkalosis
Compensated Metabolic Alkalosis
Compensated Metabolic Acidosis

35. Acid-Base Partially
Compensated:
Parameters: pH PaCO2 HCO3
-
Metabolic
Alkalosis
Metabolic
Acidosis
Respiratory
Alkalosis
Respiratory
Acidosis

36. Interpretation Practice:
 pH: 7.47 Right!
 PaCO2: 49 Try Again
 HCO3
-: 33.1 Try Again
 pH: 7.33 Try Again
 PaCO2 : 31 Try Again
 HCO3
- : 16 Right!
Partially Compensated Metabolic Alkalosis
Partially Compensated Resp.Alkalosis
Partially Compensated Metabolic Acidosis
Partially Compensated Metabolic Alkalosis
Partially Compensated Resp.Acidosis
Partially Compensated Metabolic Acidosis

37. 37