Interpretation of Arterial Blood Gases

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on the interpretation of arterial blood gases and related topics.

Arterial Blood Gases (ABG)

Tests measuring oxygenation and acid-base status in the blood.

Hypoxia

Reduced O2 delivery to tissues.

Hypoxemia

Reduced O2 content (PaO2) in arterial blood, potentially due to multiple causes.

Acidemia

Blood pH below the normal range (<7.35).

Alkalemia

Blood pH above the normal range (>7.45).

PaCO2

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

PaO2

Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood.

HCO3

Bicarbonate concentration in the blood, reflecting metabolic status.

Lactic acidosis

Condition characterized by low HCO3 and elevated plasma lactate, indicating metabolic acidosis.

Base excess (BE)

Amount of base needed to correct blood pH to neutral; positive indicates metabolic alkalosis and negative indicates metabolic acidosis.

O2 saturation (SaO2)

Percentage of O2-binding sites on hemoglobin occupied by O2 molecules.

Compensation

Physiological response by the body to restore normal pH by altering respiratory or metabolic processes.

Respiratory acidosis

Acid-base disturbance characterized by low pH and high PaCO2.

Metabolic acidosis

Acid-base disturbance characterized by low pH and low HCO3.

Respiratory alkalosis

Acid-base disturbance characterized by high pH and low PaCO2.

Metabolic alkalosis

Acid-base disturbance characterized by high pH and high HCO3.

Pulmonary gas exchange

Transfer of O2 from the atmosphere to blood and CO2 from blood to the atmosphere.

Acid-base balance

State of equilibrium in the body maintained by various physiological buffers, including respiratory and renal mechanisms.