Blood Gas Analysis

Normal pH values

7.35-7.45

Normal pCO2 levels

34-40 - normal arterial

38-45 - normal venous

Normal pO2 levels

80-120 - normal arterial

~45-65 - normal venous

Normal HCO3 levels

18-24

Normal base excess levels

-6 to +1

If pH is low, is it acidic or alkaline

Acidic

What are the 2 conditions you can get is your pH is too low

Metabolic acidosis

Respiratory acidosis

If pH is too high, are they acidic or alkaline

Alkaline

What are the 2 conditions that can be caused if pH is high

Metabolic alkalosis

Respiratory alkalosis

What is metabolic acidosis

Low HCO3 (bicarbonate), so increased H+

What is respiratory acidosis

High pCO2

What is metabolic alkalosis

High HCO3 (bicarbonate), so low H+

What is respiratory alkalosis

Low pCO2

If primary problem is respiratory acidosis (high pCO2), what is the compensatory effort

Metabolic alkalosis (high HCO3) - meaning the body starts to produce more HCO3 to bring pH back up (b/c it is acidic)

If primary problem is respiratory alkalosis (low pCO2), what is the compensatory effort

Metabolic acidosis (low HCO3) - body starts to create more H+, so less bicarbonate to bring the pH back down

If primary problem is metabolic acidosis (low HCO3), what is the compensatory effort

Respiratory alkalosis (low pCO2) - pt will start to hyperventilate so pCO2 will be down → causes pH to go higher and not as acidic

If primary problem is metabolic alkalosis (high HCO3), what is the compensatory effort

Respiratory acidosis (high pCO2) - pt will hypoventilate so pCO2 will get higher and make the pH less so it becomes less alkaline and closer to neutral

Pt hypoventilating causes

High pCO2

Pt hyperventilating causes

Low pCO2