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Questions and Answers
What does an ABG (arterial blood gas) test measure?
What does a decrease in blood pH indicate?
Which component of an ABG test indicates a respiratory problem?
What happens when the body experiences hypoventilation?
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What is the relationship between pH and HCO3- in metabolic disorders?
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What is the expected range for the pH of human blood?
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Which of the following is considered acidic?
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What happens when the blood pH falls below 6.9 or rises above 7.8?
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Which of the following helps maintain the homeostasis of acidic and basic compounds in the blood?
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Which laboratory evaluation is used to interpret acid-base balance in the body?
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Study Notes
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)
- Analyzes pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and bicarbonate (HCO3–) to determine acid-base imbalance in the body
- Provides indirect measure of oxygen content in arterial blood (PaO2) and hemoglobin saturation (O2 sat)
pH Levels
- pH determines acidity or alkalinity of the blood
- Decreased pH level indicates increased acidity (acidosis)
- Increased pH level indicates increased alkalinity (alkalosis)
- Normal pH range: 7.35 to 7.45
- pH levels < 7.35 are considered acidic, while those > 7.45 are considered alkaline
Respiratory Imbalances
- Occur with changes in ventilation and reflect amount of carbon dioxide present
- PaCO2 indicates respiratory problem
- Hypoventilation retains CO2, increasing acidity
- Carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid, making environment acidic
Metabolic Imbalances
- Occur with systemic changes
- HCO3– indicates metabolic problem
- Kidneys filter hydrogen (H+) and HCO3–, excreting or reabsorbing them into the bloodstream
- Metabolic acidosis occurs when HCO3– is excreted and H+ is retained, decreasing pH level
- Metabolic alkalosis occurs when H+ is excreted and HCO3– is retained, increasing pH level
Interpreting ABG's
- Step 1: Check pH level (expected range: 7.35 to 7.45)
- Step 2: Check PaCO2 (expected range: 35 to 45 mm Hg) for respiratory component
- Step 3: Check HCO3– (expected range: 21 to 28 mEq/L) for metabolic component
Relationships between pH and PaCO2/HCO3–
- In respiratory disorders, pH and PaCO2 change in opposite directions
- In metabolic disorders, pH and HCO3– change in the same direction
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Description
Test your knowledge on blood pH and imbalances with this quiz. Learn about the pH scale, acidic and alkaline levels, as well as acidosis and alkalosis in the context of human blood.
