Review Notes in ABG Interpretation - NCLEX

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 ----------------------------------------http://filipinonurse.blogspot.com -----------------------------------------