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Usefulness
This method is simple, easy and can be used for the majority of ABGs. It only
addresses acid-base balance and considers just 3 values.
• pH,
• PaCO2
• HCO3-
ph
< 7.35 7.35-7.45 > 7.45
Normal or
Acidosis Alkalosis
Compensated
PaCO2
< 35 35 -45 > 45
• Tends • Tends
toward toward
Normal
alkalosis acidosis
• Causes • Causes low
or
high pH pH
Compensated
• Neutralizes • Neutralizes
low pH high pH
• You'll be right most of the time if you remember this simple table:
High pH Low pH
Alkalosis Acidosis
High PaCO2 Low PaCO2 High PaCO2 Low PaCO2
Metabolic Respiratory Respiratory Metabolic
• If PaCO2 is abnormal and pH is normal, it indicates compensation.
o pH > 7.4 would be a compensated alkalosis.
o pH < 7.4 would be a compensated acidosis.
These steps will make more sense if we apply them to actual ABG values. Click
here to interpret some ABG values using these steps. You may want to refer
back to these steps (click on "linked" steps or use "BACK" button on your browser)
or print out this page for reference.
Please note:
• Remember, the first three steps apply to the majority of cases, but do not take
into account:
o the possibility of complete compensation, but those cases are usually
less serious, and
o instances of combined respiratory and metabolic imbalance, but those
cases are pretty rare.
"Combined" disturbance means HCO3- alters the pH in the same
direction as the PaCO2.
High PaCO2 and low HCO3- (acidosis) or
Low PaCO2 and high HCO3- (alkalosis).
• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4
ABG Value Which step? Rationale
Low pH
pH 7.23 Step 1 indicates
acidosis
Low PaCO2
rules out
respiratory
cause for
acidosis,
therefore
PaCO2 31 Step 3
metabolic
cause. Low
respiratory
acid is
compensating
for lower pH.
metabolic
Interpretation
acidosis
• Example 5
• Example 6
Low PaCO2
PaCO2 33
causes alkalosis
Step 3
Compensated
Interpretation respiratory
alkalosis
Case Studies
The following are examples of clinical situations and the ABGs that may result, as
well as causes and solutions for ABG abnormalities.
Case 1
Mrs. Puffer is a 35-year-old single mother, just getting off the night shift. She reports
to the ED in the early morning with shortness of breath. She has cyanosis of the
lips. She has had a productive cough for 2 weeks. Her temperature is 102.2, blood
pressure 110/76, heart rate 108, respirations 32, rapid and shallow. Breath sounds
are diminished in both bases, with coarse rhonchi in the upper lobes. Chest X-ray
indicates bilateral pneumonia.
Problems:
• PaCO2 is low.
• pH is on the high side of normal, therefore compensated respiratory
alkalosis.
• Also, PaO2 is low, probably due to mucous displacing air in the alveoli
affected by the pneumonia (see Shunting).
Solutions:
• Mrs. Puffer most likely has ARDS along with her pneumonia.
• The alkalosis need not be treated directly. Mrs. Puffer is hyperventilating to
increase oxygenation, which is incidentally blowing off CO2. Improve PaO2
and a normal respiratory rate should normalize the pH.
• High FiO2 can help, but if she has interstitial lung fluid, she may need
intubation and PEEP, or a BiPAP to raise her PaO2. (Click here to compare
BiPAP to other respiratory treatments.)
• Expect orders for antibiotics, and possibly steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
• Chest physiotherapy and vigorous coughing or suctioning will help the patient
clear her airways of excess mucous and increase the number of functioning
alveoli.
Case 2
Mr. Worried is a 52-year-old widow. He is retired and living alone. He enters the ED
complaining of shortness of breath and tingling in fingers. His breathing is shallow
and rapid. He denies diabetes; blood sugar is normal. There are no EKG changes.
He has no significant respiratory or cardiac history. He takes several antianxiety
medications. He says he has had anxiety attacks before. While being worked up for
chest pain an ABG is done:
Problem:
• pH is high,
• PaCO2 is low
• respiratory alkalosis.
Solution:
You are the critical care nurse about to receive Mr. Sweet, a 24-year-old DKA
(diabetic ketoacidosis) patient from the ED. The medical diagnosis tells you to
expect acidosis. In report you learn that his blood glucose on arrival was 780. He
has been started on an insulin drip and has received one amp of bicarb. You will be
doing finger stick blood sugars every hour.
Problem:
• The pH is acidotic,
• PaCO2 is 25 (low) which should create alkalosis.
• This is a respiratory compensation for the metabolic acidosis.
• The underlying problem is, of course, a metabolic acidosis.
Solution:
• Insulin, so the body can use the sugar in the blood and stop making ketones,
which are an acidic by-product of protein metabolism.
• In the mean time, pH should be maintained near normal so that oxygenation is
not compromised
(Note: To be an absolutely perfect last name--her pH needs to be 7.40. So, keep in mind, that if her pH
is 7.35-7.39--she’s thinking about marrying into the ACIDOSIS family. If her pH is 7.41-7.45--she’s
thinking about marrying into the ALKALOSIS family.)
Now that you know your patient’s last name, you would like to also learn her first name.
Now that you know your patient’s first and last name, you would like to know
her middle name.
(Name Alert: These people are all related and you have many patients with the
same first and last name. A middle name will give you more information to go
on.)
Therefore: