Disease States ABG interpretations

Normal arterial blood pH

7.35-7.45

Normal CO2 range

35-45 mmHg

Normal HCO3 range

22-26 mEq/L

emia (suffix)

blood condition

Kussmaul respirations

very deep and rapid respirations

Acidemia

pH is less than 7.35

When the condition starts to affect the organs it is called acidosis

Alkalemia

pH is greater than 7.45

When the condition starts to affect the organs it is called alkalosis

True or false

Bicarbonate does not cause the pH to become acidic

True. High levels of CO2 cause the pH to be acidic

High levels of CO2 =

low pH (acidic)

Low levels of CO2

high pH (basic)

High levels of HCO3 =

basic

Low levels of HCO3=

acidic

Hyperventilation

fast, rapid, deep breathing

hypoventilation

Slow, shallow breathing

Hypercapnia

excessive/ high amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood

hypocapnia

low amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood

Does hyperventilation cause hypercapnia or hypocapnia

hypocapnia

Does hypoventilation cause hypercapnia or hypocapnia

hypercapnia

Hyperventilation gets rid of

Carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide refers to

respiratory/lungs

bicarbonate refers to

kidney/metabolic

What's going to compensate for metabolic alkalosis?

respiratory acidosis

Metabolic acidosis levels

pH < 7.35

HCO3 < 22

low pH, low HCO3

Primary disturbance of metabolic acidosis

decreased HCO3

Primary disturbance of metabolic alkalosis

increased HCO3

Primary disturbance of respiratory acidosis

increased PCO2

Primary disturbance of respiratory alkalosis

decreased PCO2

If the imbalance has to do with CO2, the _______ are going to compensate

kidneys

If the imbalance has to do with HCO3, the _______ are going to compensate

lungs

Four categories of acid-base imbalances

1. respiratory acidosis

2. respiratory alkalosis

3. metabolic acidosis

4. metabolic alkalosis

respiratory acidosis

elevation of CO2 as a result of hypoventilation, CO2 is retained (hypercapnia)

respiratory alkalosis

decreased CO2 as a result of hyperventilation, decreased CO2 (hypocapnia)

Metabolic acidosis

decrease of HCO3 or an increase in non-carbonic acids

metabolic alkalosis

elevation of HCO3 usually as a result of an excessive loss of metabolic acids

Metabolic Acidosis causes

increase of non-carbonic acid

Lactic acidosis

Renal failure

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Diarrhea

Starvation

Loss of bicarbonate

Metabolic Alkalosis causes

Prolonged vomitting (decrease in stomach acid)

Gastric suctioning

Excessive bicarbonate intake

Hyperaldosteronism with hypokalemia

Diuretic therapy

respiratory acidosis causes

alveolar hypoventilation

Depression of the respiratory center

COPD

Respiratory alkalosis causes

hyperventilation from anxiety

fever

pain

high altitude (hypoxemia)

lung diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can cause an _______ in blood carbon dioxide (CO2)

increase

Kussmaul respirations are the compensation response to

metabolic acidosis

metabolic acidosis is seen in

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

True or false?

Ketones are acidic → they accumulate in the blood → lowers HCO₃⁻ and drops pH.

The result: Metabolic acidosis.

True

High PaCO₂ (>45) =

Respiratory acidosis

Low PaCO₂ (<35) =

Respiratory alkalosis

Low HCO₃⁻ (<22) =

Metabolic acidosis

High HCO₃⁻ (>26) =

Metabolic alkalosis

True or false?

Opioid overdose does correlate with respiratory acidosis.

True