Now lets look at two case scenarios to see how the fivestep approach see steps to interpreting abgs can help you interpret abgs and manage your patients condition. Identify normal arterial blood gas values and interpret the meaning of abnormal values. Arterial blood gases abgs are used to monitor patients on ventilators, monitor critically ill nonventilator patients, establish preoperative baseline parameters and regulate electrolyte therapy. If the patient is unstable, manual ventilation with a bag. Tic tac toe method arterial blood gas abg interpretation. Interpretation of the arterial blood gas emergencypedia. Developed specifically for student nurses and based on the authors over thirty years of teaching experience, interpreting arterial blood gases the easy way teaches students a stepbystep method for interpreting blood gases and helps them learn how to apply. It only addresses acidbase balance and considers just 3 values.
The be is not providing any compensation against the high co 2. Interpret the results of various arterial blood gas samples. Health care industry health, general blood gas analysis physiological aspects usage blood gases analysis respiratory tract diseases care and treatment. If the paco2 is greater than 45 mm hg,less carbon dioxide is being exhaled than. Jan 16, 2019 in this guide, we will teach you the eight 8 steps on how to interpret and analyze arterial blood gas abg results using the tictactoe method. Abcs of abgs a guide to interpreting acid base disorders. Simple algorithm of arterial blood gas analysis to. There is an open access version for this licensed article that can be read free of charge and without license restrictions. A 55yearold man with communityacquired pneumonia was admitted to the icu for respiratory distress. We dont only want to interpret abg values for fun, they have a very important purpose. This book provides readers with the core background knowledge required to understand the abg, explains how it is used in clinical practice and provides a unique system for interpreting results. Nov 28, 2016 uncompensated or compensated abgs many times, a condition that leads to an abg diagnosis is battled by the bodys effort to help correct, or compensate. Download fulltext pdf interpretation of arterial blood gas article pdf available in indian journal of critical care medicine 142.
Patients are often required to be checked for arterial blood gas analysis to find what exactly is happening in the body of patients system. Pdf arterial blood gases abg results reflect underlying pathology and interpretation of the results are often compounded by ongoing disease. A guide to interpreting acidbase disorders article pdf available in hospital pharmacy 4310. Download fulltext pdf download fulltext pdf abcs of abgs. Understanding and use of blood gas analysis enables providers to interpret. Sign up to receive my blogemail updates and receive a free handout to develop clinical j. Interpret the oxygenation state of a patient using the reported arterial blood gas pao2 value. Following are the steps one should follow when reading the arterial blood gas and interpreting the values simultaneously.
If the abg results are abnormal, determine if the abnormality is due to the kidneys metabolic. About 97% of oxygen in the blood is carried by hemoglobin in the form of oxyhemoglobin hbo 2 in red blood cells rbcs. Everyone can read an electrolyte level, but when faced with a list of abgs, most nurses wilt. Jul 24, 2017 3 easy steps for interpreting abgs date. Interpreting arterial blood gas values paco2 partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide hco3 bicarbonate increase level decreased level n normal level step 4.
The goal of interpreting abg values is so that we can decipher what is happening to our patient, so that we can implement a plan to help them improve. The content of the open access version may differ from that of the licensed version. An arterial blood gas abg specifically tests blood taken from an artery. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Arterial blood gases made easy 2nd edition pdf free pdf. Abg interpretation a guide to understanding abgs geeky. Abg quick interpretation parameter acidosis normal alkalosis reflects ph 7. Understanding arterial blood gases abgs nysna continuing education the new york state nurses association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by. Monitoring of acidbase balance is done by testing patients arterial blood gases abgs. To check for compensatory, look at the result you didnt circle. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Abgs are important to know and the best way to become familiar with them is to practice. A fresh and simple approach to interpreting abg is provided. Its a test that is used to assess how well oxygen is being distributed throughout the body and how well carbon dioxide is being removed. The first step to interpret abgs is to determine if the patient has a normal ph. Try this third set of practice exam and master the art of interpreting abgs. A guide to interpreting acidbase disorders author creator. Interpreting the information obtained from an abg result, combined with the patients history and our knowledge of normal pathophysiology as it applies to acidbase balance will help us to plan how to resolve the problem lippincott, 2012.
If youve taken the time to open arterial blood gases made easy, you must believe that arterial blood gases abgs are important, but not entirely straightforward. The kidneys also reabsorb or excrete acids and bases and is a major buffer system. Body will not overcompensate when it comes to acidbase balance so. The ph will provide you your first most valuable piece of information. Confusion often begins with trying to remember many random rules and lacking a standardized approach to abgs. Abg interpretation free download as powerpoint presentation. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Arterial blood gases made easy pdf download free ebooks. To access free multiple choice questions on this topic, click here. The dams handwritten notes are here for free download in pdf format for your mobile phone and computer.
Arterial blood gas abg analysis is a fundamental skill in modern medicine yet one which many find difficult to grasp. Interpretation of arterial blood gases abgs david a. Use an easy 6step method to analyze blood gases for the right answer. Understanding arterial blood gases abgs nysna continuing. Here is the easiest way to interpret abg results using the tic tac toe method. It is the bodys way to assist, to try to return the ph toward normal. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. This guide provides a structured approach to abg interpretation, with some. The present article is an attempt for the simplified approach for the bedside interpretation of abg. This is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in plasma.
Arterial blood gas abgs interpretation for nursing students and nurses. Rememberon the abg, the paco2 is an acid the renal system will work to compensate a respiratory imbalance via the production of bicarbonate. The results of abg testing will often influence the treatment that patients receive. The hco 3 is not providing any compensation against the high co 2. In order to easily solve arterial blood gas problems, the tic tac toe or r. Test your knowledge of arterial blood gas and acidbase balances using this interactive quiz and printable worksheet.
Arterial blood gas abg interpretation is something many medical students find difficult to grasp weve been there. An abg is a blood test that measures the acidity, or ph, and the levels of oxygen o2 and carbon dioxide co2 from an artery. Bill pruitt is the director of clinical education and a senior instructor in the department of cardiorespiratory sciences at the university of south alabamas college of allied health science in mobile, ala. Compensation rarely returns the ph to exactly normal, but it does sometimes get it closer. Arterial blood gas abg interpretation for medical students, osces and mrcp paces this section presents how to interpret arterial blood gases. Arterial blood gasses, or abgs, may be among the most complex and confusing parts of nursing practice. This method is simple, easy and can be used for the majority of abgs. Aug, 2018 easy way to interpret abg values in 7 simple steps overview of the 7 simple steps. A guide to interpreting acidbase disorders english. Do not be intimidated by abg interpretation no longer. In this guide, we will teach you the eight 8 steps on how to interpret and analyze arterial blood gas abg results using the tictactoe method.
However, the understanding of abgs and their interpretation can sometimes be very confusing and also an arduous task. Developed specifically for student nurses and based on the authors over thirty years of teaching experience, interpreting arterial blood gases the easy way teaches students a stepbystep method for interpreting blood gases and helps them learn how to ap. You are watching an educational video about interpreting abgs. Abg interpretation a guide to understanding abgs geeky medics. Woodruff, msn, rnbc, cns, cen nurses often have difficulty interpreting arterial blood gases abgs. It explains each component in turn followed by clinical examples to work through. It measures the acidity ph and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood. Many methods do exist in literature to guide the interpretation of the abgs. The real value of an abg comes from its ability to provide a near immediate reflection of the physiology of your patient, allowing you to recognise and treat pathology more rapidly. Therefore, a basic understanding of how to interpret abg results can be useful for pharmacists to help them clarify the clinical picture. Interpretation of the arterial blood gas selflearning packet see swift for list of qualifying boards for continuing education hours. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other health care personnel. The most important points when assessing a patient are the history, examination and basic observations. Interpreting and using the arterial blood gas analysis.
Pramod sood, gunchan paul, and sandeep puri 1 author. Partial compensation means that the ph is still abnormal. So heres a 20question practice exam for your nclex. Uncompensated or compensated abgs many times, a condition that leads to an abg diagnosis is battled by the bodys effort to help correct, or compensate. The test is used to check the function of the patients lungs and how well they are able to move oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
Arterial blood gases abgs are measured in a laboratory test to determine the extent of compensation by the buffer system. This tictactoe technique involves a few charts to help you visualize abgs. Weve created this guide, which aims to provide a structured approach to abg interpretation whilst also increasing your understanding of each results relevance. Essentials of interpreting abg need maximum of six values. This is a measure of the overall concentration of hydrogen ions. Easy way to interpret abg values in 7 simple steps overview of the 7 simple steps. An arterial blood gas, or abg for short, is a test that measures the blood levels of oxygen pao2, carbon dioxide paco2, and acidbase balance ph in the body. If you are unfamiliar with the tic tac toe method for abgs to read the recommended article to learn how to do it.
If you are unfamiliar with the tic tac toe method for abgs to read the recommended article to learn how to do it other acidbase imbalance quizzes. W e often encounter patients who are critically sick and need monitoring more than vitals like bp and pulse rate. If the pa co2 is less than 35 mm hg,more carbon dioxide is being exhaled than normal. Beyond that, however, blood gas interpretation can seem like a mystery to many health professionals. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses, respiratory. Heres what each one reveals about your patients condition. Interpretation of arterial blood gas pubmed central pmc. State normal values for the five basic abg components.
Interpretation of the arterial blood gas free open access. Full compensation means that the ph is back to normal. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to remember how to decipher these important lab results. Arterial blood gas abg analysis is an essential part of diagnosing and managing a patients oxygenation status and acidbase balance. However, the renal system takes hours or days to kick in and achieve compensation. Arterial blood gases made easy 2nd edition pdf free download preface. Identify the relationship between oxygen saturation and pao2 as it relates to the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. Abg interpretation is especially important in critically ill patients. Included with the worksheet are physiological reasons for abnormalities. Feb 22, 2017 do not be intimidated by abg interpretation no longer. The following sixstep process helps ensure a complete interpretation of every abg. Hes also a member of the nursing2010 editorial board the author has disclosed that he has no financial relationships related to this article. Once youve mastered this technique, youll be doing actual abg interpretation in the nclex with fun and excitement. However, the understanding of abgs and their interpretation can sometimes be.
Ryan barnes, bsn, rn, pccncsc 2 comments arterial blood gases abgs are used to monitor patients on ventilators, monitor critically ill nonventilator patients, establish preoperative baseline parameters and regulate electrolyte therapy. The usefulness of this diagnostic tool is dependent on being able to correctly interpret the results. If it has moved from the normal value in the opposite direction of those circled, compensation is occurring. Arterial blood gas abg interpretation for medical students. Arterial blood gas interpretation, abg analysis, rules for rapid abg. Test your knowledge on the webs most interactive blood gas learning tool.
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