Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) Monitoring Quiz

Low pH (acidosis) with a raised PaCO2 indicates ______ acidosis.

The kidneys produce ______.

In an acute episode of respiratory acidosis, bicarbonate cannot be produced fast enough to compensate for the rising ______.

Raised bicarbonate indicates that the patient chronically retains ______.

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when a patient has a raised respiratory rate and 'blows off' too much ______.

In metabolic acidosis, there is a: Low pH Low ______

Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are commonly used to monitor acute respiratory conditions, especially where there is a risk of type 2 respiratory failure (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). ABGs give helpful information about the acid-base balance, blood gases (O2 and CO2 in the blood), bicarbonate, lactate, haemoglobin and electrolytes. Normal Values pH 7.35 – 7.45 PaO2 (oxygen in the blood) 10.7 – 13.3 kPa PaCO2 (carbon dioxide in the blood) 4.7 – 6.0 kPa HCO3 (bicarbonate) 22 – 26 mmol/L Base excess -2 – +2 Lactate 0.5 – 1 mmol/L Respiratory Failure PaO2 is the partial pressure of oxygen, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood. A low PaO2 indicates ______.

FiO2 is the fraction of inhaled oxygen. Room air has an FiO2 of 21%, meaning the oxygen concentration in room air is 21%. Venturi masks can be used to control the FiO2. Other masks only give an approximate FiO2. A low PaO2 indicates ______ and respiratory failure.

It is important to distinguish the type of respiratory failure: Normal PaCO2 with low PaO2 indicates type 1 respiratory failure (only one is affected). Raised PaCO2 with low PaO2 indicates type 2 respiratory failure (two are affected). Acid-Base Balance pH Under 7.35 Acidosis 7.35 – 7.45 Normal Above 7.45 Alkalosis Where there is acidosis or alkalosis, you need to determine whether the cause is ______ or metabolic.

Respiratory Acidosis Remember that carbon dioxide (CO2) makes blood acidotic by breaking down into carbonic acid (H2CO3). In respiratory acidosis, the lungs are unable to remove enough ______ from the body, leading to a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood and lowering the pH.

Normal Values pH 7.35 – 7.45 PaO2 (oxygen in the blood) 10.7 – 13.3 kPa PaCO2 (carbon dioxide in the blood) 4.7 – 6.0 kPa HCO3 (bicarbonate) 22 – 26 mmol/L Base excess -2 – +2 Lactate 0.5 – 1 mmol/L Respiratory Failure PaO2 is the partial pressure of oxygen, the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood. A low PaO2 indicates ______.

Venturi masks can be used to control the FiO2. Other masks only give an approximate FiO2. A low PaO2 indicates ______ and respiratory failure.