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    Acid Base Handout Revised

    Uploaded by

    Karen Hutchinson
    This document discusses acid-base imbalances and normal blood gas values. It provides information on the four main acid-base imbalances: metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis. For each imbalance it describes the expected pH, HCO3, and PCO2 levels as well as typical compensation mechanisms and common causes like diabetes, kidney failure, vomiting, and hypoventilation. It also provides examples of blood gas readings and challenges the reader to identify the acid-base imbalance in each case. Key points emphasized are starting with the pH to determine if it is normal, acid, or alkaline and then looking at CO2 or HCO3 levels to determine if the problem is

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    Acid Base Handout Revised

    Uploaded by

    Karen Hutchinson
    73 views3 pages
    This document discusses acid-base imbalances and normal blood gas values. It provides information on the four main acid-base imbalances: metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis. For each imbalance it describes the expected pH, HCO3, and PCO2 levels as well as typical compensation mechanisms and common causes like diabetes, kidney failure, vomiting, and hypoventilation. It also provides examples of blood gas readings and challenges the reader to identify the acid-base imbalance in each case. Key points emphasized are starting with the pH to determine if it is normal, acid, or alkaline and then looking at CO2 or HCO3 levels to determine if the problem is

    Original Description:

    A handout of resourceful information regarding Arterial Blood Gases (ABG's)

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    This document discusses acid-base imbalances and normal blood gas values. It provides information on the four main acid-base imbalances: metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis. For each imbalance it describes the expected pH, HCO3, and PCO2 levels as well as typical compensation mechanisms and common causes like diabetes, kidney failure, vomiting, and hypoventilation. It also provides examples of blood gas readings and challenges the reader to identify the acid-base imbalance in each case. Key points emphasized are starting with the pH to determine if it is normal, acid, or alkaline and then looking at CO2 or HCO3 levels to determine if the problem is

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    73 views3 pages

    Acid Base Handout Revised

    Uploaded by

    Karen Hutchinson
    This document discusses acid-base imbalances and normal blood gas values. It provides information on the four main acid-base imbalances: metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis. For each imbalance it describes the expected pH, HCO3, and PCO2 levels as well as typical compensation mechanisms and common causes like diabetes, kidney failure, vomiting, and hypoventilation. It also provides examples of blood gas readings and challenges the reader to identify the acid-base imbalance in each case. Key points emphasized are starting with the pH to determine if it is normal, acid, or alkaline and then looking at CO2 or HCO3 levels to determine if the problem is

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    Acid – Base Imbalances

    Normal blood gases:


    PH 7.35 – 7.45
    PO2 80 – 100 mm Hg
    PCO2 35 – 45 mm Hg
    HCO3 22 – 26 mmol/ L
    SaO2 > 95%

    State PH HCO3 PCO2 Compensation


    Metabolic Lungs blow off CO2
    Acidosis
    Metabolic Lungs hold onto CO2; Kidneys hold
    Alkalosis hydrogen and dump HCO3
    Respiratory Kidneys hold on to HCO3 and get rid of
    Acidosis hydrogen
    Respiratory Kidneys get rid of HCO3 and hold onto
    Alkalosis hydrogen

    Causes of Acid-Base Imbalances

    State Cause Signs and Symptoms


    Metabolic Acidosis ASA overdose, renal Drowsiness, confusion,
    failure, diarrhea, sepsis, increase respiratory rate,
    Ph < 7.35; HCO3 < 22 diabetic acidosis N/V, headache
    Metabolic Alkalosis Vomiting, excessive Stiff muscles, tingling
    antacids, GI suctioning, low extremities, dizziness,
    Ph > 7.45; HCO3 > 26 potassium, high calcium Kussmaul’s respirations
    Respiratory Acidosis CNS depression, Increasing BP, P, and RR
    hypoventilation, airway Dysrhythmias, restlessness,
    Ph < 7.35; PCO2 > 45 obstruction, pneumonia, confusion, weakness
    aspiration, drug overdose,
    pulmonary edema,
    respiratory depression
    Respiratory Alkalosis Anxiety, hyperventilation, Light-headedness, inability
    Pulmonary embolism, to concentrate, confusion,
    Ph > 7.45; PCO2 < 35 hypoxia numbness/tingling

    Helpful hints for interpreting ABGs


     Always start with the ph
     Determine if the ph is normal, acid or alkaline
     Look at other values to see which one could cause the ph
    o If the CO2 value is consistent with, agrees with, or matches the ph, the problem
    is respiratory
    o If the HCO3 value is consistent with, agrees with, or matches the pH, the
    problem is metabolic
    Examples:

    PH 7.32
    PCO2 58 _________________________
    HCO3 32
    PO2 60

    Ph 7.51
    PCO2 30
    HCO3 22 _________________________
    PO2 80-100

    Ph 7.35
    PCO2 30
    HCO3 16 __________________________
    PO2 80-100

    Ph 7.52
    PCO2 52
    HCO3 34 __________________________
    PO2 80-100

    Challenge:

    1. An adult is admitted to the hospital after several days of vomiting. Her breathing is
    shallow and slow. What acid-base imbalance do you expect?

    2. The nurse reviews a client’s ABG results which are as follows: pH is 7.6; PCO2 is
    37, and HCO3 is 32. Which acid-base balance is this client experiencing?

    3. The nurse reviews the ABG results for a client with COPD. The ph is 7.3; PCO2
    is 56; and HCO3 is 24. Which acid-balance is the client experiencing?

    4. A client’s ABG reveals the following values: pH 7.2; HCO3 22; PaCO2 40. What
    illness does this indicate?

    5. A client’s ABGs reveal the following values: Ph 7.8; HCO3 26; and PaCO2 28.
    Which illness does this indicate?

    6. A client’s ABG reveals the following: pH 7.0; HCO3 24; and PaCO2 56. What
    illness does this indicate?

    7. The nurse knows that respiratory acidosis occurs in:


    a. Diuretic therapy
    b. Hypoxia
    c. Oversedation
    d. Potassium deficit

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