Institute for Continuing Education

Arterial Blood Gasses Part II: A Review of Interpretation Skills (ABG)

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Compare and contrast the difference between primary acidosis and primary alkalotic states.
• Describe three metabolic problems. Do they result in alkalosis or acidosis? Why?
• Describe three respiratory problems. Do they result in acidosis or alkalosis? Why?
• Describe the process utilized to interpret acid-base disorders.
• Differentiate between oxygen transport and carbon dioxide production and elimination.
• Assess oxygenation at the tissue levels.

Course Information

A complete assessment of acid-base balance should include determinations of PaCO2, pH and bicarbonate concentrations, as well as the levels of the other serum electrolytes. Diagnostic possibilities include pure metabolic or respiratory acidosis, or a combination of the two, and pure respiratory or metabolic alkalosis, or a combination of the two. Respiratory and metabolic compensatory mechanisms are frequently involved, and in mixed disturbances in clinical circumstances frequently are of a mixed variety.

This course will help you sort out the acid-base component and the nuances associated with arterial blood gas interpretation which allows you to ascertain and identify arterial blood gas disorders. The oxygenation component of the arterial blood gas analysis is in the latter portion of this unit of instruction.