ABGs, IV Therapy, and Blood Administration Flashcards

Flashcards covering ABG interpretations, respiratory and metabolic imbalances, IV therapy complications (Infiltration, Phlebitis, Embolism), and blood transfusion protocols.

ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases)

Diagnostic tests used to identify problems within the kidneys or the GI system.

Acidosis

An acidotic state in the body characterized by a pH level less than $7.35$.

Alkalosis

An alkaline state in the body characterized by a pH level greater than $7.45$.

PaO2 (Arterial Oxygen Level)

The measure of oxygen binding to hemoglobin after coming from the heart, with a normal range of $80$ to $100$.

SpO2 of $95\%$

A pulse oximetry reading that is equivalent to a PaO2 of $80$, according to the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve graph.

Hypoventilation

A cause of respiratory acidosis where the patient is not breathing off enough CO2, such as a breathing rate of $7$ times per minute.

Opioids

Medications that can cause respiratory acidosis because they lead to respiratory depression and hypoventilation.

Paresthesia

A numbness and tingling feeling that can be felt in the lips, face, or fingers, often seen in patients with respiratory alkalosis.

Metabolic Alkalosis

A condition where the pH is high, bicarbonate is high, and CO2 is within range, often caused by losing body acid through diuretics or excessive antacid use.

Solution to Pollution

A phrase used to refer to dilution as a treatment for certain fluid/electrolyte states.

Infiltration

An IV complication where the site is cool to the touch, tight, pale, and swollen; treated by stopping the infusion, removing the catheter, elevating the extremity, and applying a warm compress.

Phlebitis

An IV complication characterized by edema, throbbing, burning, and pain at the site, which appears red and warm.

Air Embolism

A complication involving air bubbles in the IV tubing; while small bubbles are common, it takes approximately $10\,ml$ of air to be fatal.

Catheter Embolism

A life-threatening emergency where the plastic tip of the IV catheter breaks off and travels through the bloodstream; treated by applying a tourniquet as high as possible on the arm.

Catheter Tip Intact

The specific phrase that must always be documented by a nurse when removing an IV to prove the catheter did not break off.

Type and Cross Match

The laboratory test performed to identify a patient's blood type and ensure compatibility before a blood transfusion.

PRBCs

Packed Red Blood Cells, which are units of blood that must be administered using filtered tubing and only with normal saline.

Blood Administration IV Size

Blood must be administered through a large bore IV, defined as a $20$ gauge or larger.

Blood Transfusion Timeframes

A transfusion must be started within $30$ minutes of leaving the lab cooler and must be infused within $3$ hours.

Transfusion Reaction Window

The first $15$ minutes of a blood transfusion, which is the period when a reaction is statistically most likely to occur.

Blood Compatibility

Normal saline is the only solution that is compatible with blood for administration.