Given that this can be difficult, there is a need for a simple algorithm for systematically handling each of the numbers in turn, as discussed below. Medicforyou is a medical community dedicated to mbbs doctors and students in india. Abg interpretation a guide to understanding abgs geeky. This tictactoe technique involves a few charts to help you visualize abgs. If youre new here, you may want to subscribe to our rss feed. You draw a blood sample for arterial blood gas abg analysis. It also has some applications in general practice, such as assessing the need for domiciliary oxygen therapy in. This is particularly important if your patient is known to have chronic respiratory disease with existing chronic abg changes. Reference ranges may vary slightly and are based on the methodology, age of the patient, and reference values the particular health. Making sense of arterial blood gases nursing times. Abg made easy final medical books arterial blood gases made easy, edition arterial blood gas abg analysis is a fundamental sk single tooth implant arterial blood gas nursing school notes medical school junior doctor gross anatomy hematology nursing students nursing textbooks. The results of abg testing will often influence the treatment that patients receive. They may help make a diagnosis, indicate the severity of. However, the more complicated and in some ways more important part of abg analysis is ph regulation.
Interpretation of arterial blood gases abgs david a. Everyone can read an electrolyte level, but when faced with a list of abgs, most nurses wilt. So direct measurement of ph, pao 2, paco 2 are most precise in medicine. The main determinants of pao 2 are the inspired oxygen concentration, alveolar gas exchange, and, to a lesser extent, tissue oxygen consumption. The value of such data depends upon the ability of the doctors to interpret the results properly and if the analysis is made systematically, it becomes interesting for the doctors and fruitful for. The value of such data depends upon the ability of the doctors to interpret the results properly and if the analysis is made systematically, it becomes interesting for the doctors and fruitful for the patient. In this article, well describe a stepbystep approach to interpreting abg results, which tell you about oxygenation and acidbase balance in the patients blood and guide treatment decisions. Arterial oxygen tension pao 2 is the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood. How to interpret arterial blood gas results correspondence. A speed drill section scores you on how quickly and accurately you are able to decipher blood gas results medical books arterial blood gas analysis made easy by. Arterial blood gas case questions and answers in the space that follows you will find a series of cases that include arterial blood gases. So direct measurement of ph, pao2, paco2 are most precise in medicine. Diagnosis is made easier by understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause hypoxaemia and hypercapnia.
Arterial blood gas abg analysis evaluates gas exchange in the lungs by measuring the partial pressures of oxygen pao2 and carbon dioxide paco2 as well as the ph of an arterial sample. Creative ways to teach arterial blood gas interpretation. Over half of the book is devoted to thirty clinical case scenarios involving analysis of arterial blood gases, allowing the reader to gain both proficiency in interpretation and an appreciation of the role. It also measures your bodys acidbase ph level, which is usually in balance when youre healthy. The present article aims to simplify arterial blood gas analysis for a rapid and easy bedside interpretation. This has led to underutilization of this simple tool. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses, respiratory. Fourstep method of interpreting arterial blood gas analysis 04 january, 2005 patients being cared for in general clinical areas are becoming sicker mcgloin et al, 1999 and sicker patients require more complex care and treatment department of health, 2002. Arterial blood gas analysis can be used to assess gas exchange and acid base status as well as to provide immediate information about electrolytes. An arterial blood gas result can help in the assessment of a patients gas exchange. This indispensable tool helps you assess and monitor critically ill patients in the icu or other critical care settings. The arterial blood gas abg analyzer interprets abg findings and values. 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.
Bull, in clinical respiratory medicine fourth edition, 2012. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. One advantage of subscribing to rss feeds is that you dont have to constantly revisit this site to check for updates within specific sections you might be interested in because your browser or feed reader will do this for you automatically on a regular basis plus you can even get email. The ratio between the pao 2 and the inspired oxygen concentration expressed as a fraction fio 2 is termed the pao 2 fio 2 ratio or the p. This test is used to check how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. Interpreting abgs arterial blood gases made easy ausmed. Blood gas analysis is a commonly used diagnostic tool to evaluate the partial. When one thinks of abg analysis, oxygenation may come to mind first. Arterial blood gas made easy slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Interpreting and using the arterial blood gas analysis.
Arterial blood gas analysis for emergency medicine registrars. Arterial blood gas analysis assesses a patients partial pressure of oxygen. Abg interpretation a guide to understanding abgs geeky medics. Therefore, a basic understanding of how to interpret abg results can be useful for pharmacists to help them clarify the clinical picture. Arterial blood gas analysis dr abdullah pg 2 medicine amu aligarh. Arterial blood gases made easy pdf download free ebooks. Alveolararterial o2 gradient o paao2 is the alveolararterial difference in partial pressure of oxygen o pao2 150 paco2rq o normal range.
To adequately use this information, one must have a basic understanding of gas transportation and acidbase physiology. Abg made easy final arterial blood gas, free medical. It is also useful to have access to any previous gases. Arterial blood gas analysis is a common investigation in emergency departments and intensive care units for monitoring patients with acute respiratory failure.
Interpreting abgs in four easy steps continuing education credit. The management of diabetic ketoacidosis in adults, march 2010. It is an essential part of diagnosing and managing a patients oxygenation status and acidbase balance. Gas chapter 6 blood gas and critical care analyte analysis. Most doctors struggle with arterial blood gas abg interpretation. Arterial blood gas interpretation in 3 easy steps youtube. Unlike other blood tests, which are either high or low, abgs present the doctor with six numbers that need to be interpreted as one result. Arterial blood gases made easy request pdf researchgate. If arterial blood gases are taken it is also important to note the inspired oxygen and level of alveolar carbon dioxide. We provide the best of medicos experience with rich articles and media. Arterial blood gas analysis an overview sciencedirect. The key to making sense of arterial blood gases is to use a structured approach.
Majority of the oral and maxillofacial surgeons find it difficult to interpret and clinically correlate the arterial blood gas report in their everyday practice. But it is often encountered that many students dont know how to read abg, and thats why we are providing arterial blood gas. It is important to understand the physiological principles underpinning blood gas analysis, so these will be outlined briefly before exploring some practice issues for patients undergoing arterial blood gas sampling. Arterial blood gas analysis cannot accurately be used as a diagnostic tool to discriminate between patients with and without pe. Request pdf on jan 1, 2007, i hennessey and others published arterial blood gases. As you struggle to listen to the machine company representative talking about cleaning the machine. Electrolyte imbalances and lab values made easy with.
Through simple diffusion, gases move from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure. Arterial blood gas analysis for emergency medicine registrars very helpful investigation in critical care you should be an expert you need a system, and must be thorough they are not really that hard part 1 the basics part 2 compensation part 3 metabolic acidosis part 4 metabolic alkalosis. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Once youve mastered this technique, youll be doing actual abg interpretation. To see how to perform an arterial blood gas check out our guide here.
There are many creative ways to teach arterial blood gas interpretation. Fourstep method of interpreting arterial blood gas analysis. Each case is then followed by an explanation of the acidbase status, the oxygenation status and a summary of the patients clinical picture. Arterial blood gas abg is now widely done in hospitals. An arterial blood gas abg test measures the acidity ph and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery.
I also want to show you how to avoid the common pitfalls we make in abg analysis. Arterial blood gasses, or abgs, may be among the most complex and confusing parts of nursing practice. It is the dedication of healthcare workers that will lead us through this crisis. An arterial blood gas abg test measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood. Terminologies or information provided by an abg strip clinical assessment of acidbase disorders what does the analysis suggest.
Understanding acidbase balance and interpreting arterial blood gas results can be. Without knowing them, your patient could easily go. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to remember how to decipher these important lab results. In my experience, mistakes are made for a limited number of reasons. Patients are often required to be checked for arterial blood gas analysis to find what exactly is happening in the body of patients system. Pao2 measures the pressure exerted by the oxygen dissolved in the blood and. If you want to put your abg interpretation skills to the test, check out our abg quiz. The real value of an abg comes from its ability to provide a nearimmediate reflection of the physiology of your patient, allowing you to recognise and treat pathology more rapidly. Pdf arterial blood gas analysis is a common investigation in emergency departments and intensive.
This article illustrates the use of the stepwise approach, tables, figures, case studies, illustrations, computerbased learning modules, and the tictactoe approach. Arterial blood gas analysis is an essential part of diagnosing and managing a patients. Blood gas analysis debbie fraser, mn, rncnic b lood gas analysis is one of the major tools in assessing the respiratory status of the newborn. Arterial blood gas analysis abg, is a test that measures the amount of oxygen o2 and carbon dioxide co2 in the blood, as well as the acidity ph of the blood. Typically, patients with acute pe present with hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis. Your doctor may run a blood gas analysis or arterial blood gas abg test if you are showing the signs of an oxygen, carbon dioxide, or ph imbalance such as confusion or difficulty breathing. An arterial blood gas abg analysis can tell you about a patients oxygenation, acidbase balance, pulmonary function, and metabolic status. Arterial blood gases you are a new staff member working in the emergency department ed during your induction you are introduced to the practical workings of the point of care arterial blood gas abg machine in the ed. Blood is drawn anaerobically from a peripheral artery radial, brachial, femoral, or dorsalis pedis via a single percutaneous needle puncture, or from an indwelling arterial cannula or catheter for multiple samples. Compensation has been touched on already in the above sections, to clarify we have made it simple below.