ABG & ABG Interpretation Reviewer Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key concepts, reference values, diagnostic interpretations, and formulas from the ABG interpretation study reviewer.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

A blood test obtained from an artery to assess oxygenation, ventilation, and acid–base balance.

Normal pH Range

$7.35-7.45$, representing overall acid–base status.

Normal PaCO2 Range

$35-45\,\text{mmHg}$, representing the respiratory component where $\text{CO}_2$ acts as an acid.

Normal HCO3- Range

$22-26\,\text{mEq/L}$, representing the metabolic/renal component where bicarbonate acts as a base.

Normal PaO2 Range

$80-100\,\text{mmHg}$, representing arterial oxygenation at sea level while breathing room air.

Normal SaO2 Range

$95-100\%$, representing hemoglobin oxygen saturation.

Base Excess (BE)

A parameter with a normal range of $-2\text{ to }+2\,\text{mEq/L}$ that describes the metabolic contribution to acid–base status.

Acidemia

An arterial blood pH level below $7.35$.

Alkalemia

An arterial blood pH level above $7.45$.

ROME Mnemonic

A memory trick standing for Respiratory Opposite (pH and PaCO2 move in opposite directions) and Metabolic Equal (pH and HCO3- move in the same direction).

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid–base disorder characterized by decreased pH and increased PaCO2 resulting from CO2 retention.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid–base disorder characterized by increased pH and decreased PaCO2 resulting from CO2 loss.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid–base disorder characterized by decreased pH and decreased HCO3- resulting from bicarbonate loss or acid gain.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid–base disorder characterized by increased pH and increased HCO3- resulting from bicarbonate gain or acid loss.

Uncompensated Acid-Base Disorder

A state where pH is abnormal and only one of PaCO2 or HCO3- is abnormal in the direction of the primary disorder.

Partially Compensated Acid-Base Disorder

A state where pH remains abnormal, but both PaCO2 and HCO3- are abnormal, demonstrating a response from the secondary system.

Fully Compensated Acid-Base Disorder

A state where pH returns to the normal range while both PaCO2 and HCO3- remain abnormal.

Winter's Formula

The formula used to calculate expected PaCO2 compensation in metabolic acidosis: $\text{expected PaCO}_2 \approx 1.5 \times \text{HCO}_3^- + 8 \pm 2$.

Hypoxemia

An abnormally low level of arterial oxygen.

Pulse Oximetry (SpO2)

A noninvasive measurement that estimates oxygen saturation, distinct from ABG analysis which provides PaO2 and acid–base status.