Performing abg interpretation about the author david pickham, mn, rn, began his nursing education at the university of newcastle in new south wales, australia. Understanding arterial blood gases nursing case studies. 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. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses, respiratory. Once youve mastered this technique, youll be doing actual abg interpretation. Oct 26, 2014 interpretation of abgs and spirometry presenter dr. Sep 27, 2015 arterial blood gas abg analysis is a crucial skill for perioperative nurses, in particular the rn circulator. With practice and careful thought, you can improve your skill and accuracy at abg interpretation. This is the first of a twopart unit on arterial blood gas abg analysis, and focuses on background information and basic interpretation of abgs where no evident compensation is taking place. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses. Abg interpretation a guide to understanding abgs geeky medics.
Interpretation of the arterial blood gas selflearning packet. Understanding abgs and spirometry linkedin slideshare. Interpretation of the arterial blood gas selflearning packet see swift for list of qualifying boards for continuing education hours. Arterial blood gas abg interpretation for medical students. He has since worked as a registered nurse focusing on emergency medicine in australia, canada, and the united states. Apr 03, 2020 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. Lastly we will learn to interpret arterial blood gases and work through some examples before completing a miniquiz to test our newly gained knowledge.
This article examines acidbase balance and the interpretation of arterial blood gases abg. The usefulness of this diagnostic tool is dependent. The following is a simplified explanation of abgs, including a practical method for interpreting results. 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. From this baseline, you can then begin to recognise significant variations in a patients results, which could indicate clinical deterioration. But it is often encountered that many students dont know how to read abg, and thats why we are providing arterial blood gas. Interpreting arterial blood gases successfully larkin. The real value of an abg comes from its ability to provide a. That makes the interpretation of these abg results is uncompensated respiratory acidosis. Interpretation of abgs and spirometry presenter dr. If both the pco2 and hco3 are abnormal, the one which deviates most from the norm is most likely causing an abnormal ph. So you may see the co2 representing acidosis and the bicarb representing alkalosis or vice versa. Without this understanding, the nurse cannot be expected to realize the implication of the results. 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.
Refer to the chart above listing the normals for ph. That is the first indication that there is some compensation going on. This is a measure of the overall concentration of hydrogen ions. Continuous regular abg monitoring and recording for trends. Arterial blood gas interpretation, abg analysis, rules for rapid abg analysis, anion gap, approach to mixed disorders introduction arterial blood gas abg analysis is an essential part of diagnosing and managing a patients oxygenation status and acidbase balance. What is the relationship between the direction of change in the ph and the direction of change. Interpreting an abg is a crucial skill for health care professionals, and it is especially important in critically ill patients this guide will focus on a commonly used sevenstep process, which helps ensure a complete interpretation of every abg in addition, provided is a list of commonly encountered acidbase disorders many guides exist to aid the interpretation of the abg, some. However, the more complicated and in some ways more important part of abg analysis is ph regulation. Arterial blood gas interpretation information in this slide presentation is adapted from all you really need to know to interpret arterial blood gases 2 nd slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Arterial blood gas analysis is an essential part of diagnosing and managing a patients oxygenation status and acidbase balance. Further study into acute versus chronic, compensated versus uncompensated, and anion gaps will provide more challenging detail to discuss with students in critical care rotations.
Understanding abg reports 01 may, 2008 this is the first of a twopart unit on arterial blood gas abg analysis, and focuses on background information and basic interpretation of abgs where no evident compensation is taking place. When one thinks of abg analysis, oxygenation may come to mind first. The understanding of arterial blood gas abg analysis and interpretation is challenging and at times an arduous task. Possible dialysis to remove excess lactate, manipulation of ventilation settings to adjust co 2 levels, but always maintaining tissue perfusion. Arterial blood gas abg interpretation for medical students, osces and mrcp paces this section presents how to interpret arterial blood gases. However, its a crucial skill for nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, and nursing students to learn.
When interpreting abg results, it is essential to know what abg values are considered normal. This method is simple, easy and can be used for the majority of abgs. Arterial blood gas interpretation, abg analysis, rules for rapid abg. Normal values to check in abg before actually starting to interpret the abg reports, one needs to remember the following normal values, without which, it is impossible to analyze anything. Arterial blood gas abg interpretation is something many medical students find difficult to grasp weve been there. The following sixstep process helps ensure a complete interpretation of every abg. Feb 22, 2017 do not be intimidated by abg interpretation no longer. These abg values reveal metabolic acidosis with partial compensation. Interpretation of arterial blood gas pubmed central pmc. This tictactoe technique involves a few charts to help you visualize abgs. Abg interpretation online course due to the increase in patient dependency it is no longer unusual for nurses to be caring for patients who need frequent abg analysis.
Abg quick interpretation parameter acidosis normal alkalosis reflects ph 7. Understanding arterial blood gases abgs nysna continuing. It measures ventilation how well the body can get rid of co2. However, the understanding of abgs and their interpretation can sometimes be.
The arterial blood gases is one of the most important investigation for assessment of clinical oxygenation and acidbase status in. It explains each component in turn followed by clinical examples to work through. Abg interpretation a guide to understanding abgs geeky. Sign up to receive my blogemail updates and receive a free handout to develop clinical j. He has a masters of nursing in advanced practice and, at the. You take a blood specimen for analysis of arterial blood gases. The graphical representation will serve as a supporting tool for teaching. This test is commonly performed in the icu and er setting. Body will not overcompensate when it comes to acidbase balance so. Interpreting abgs arterial blood gases made easy ausmed. He presents today with a slight fever and complains of shortness of breath and coughing up greencolored sputum. Abg interpretation is especially important in critically ill patients. Apr 12, 2015 arterial blood gas abg interpretation. Arterial blood gases abg results reflect underlying pathology and interpretation of the results are often compounded by ongoing disease processes and clinical interventions.
Pdf a novel graphical contemporary perspective abg. The second step to interpret an abg result is to look at the carbon dioxide level. This is bicarbonate, a chemical buffer made in the kidneys to neutralize acids. Arterial blood gas abg analysis is a crucial skill for perioperative nurses, in particular the rn circulator. Lets play tictactoe luis is a 64yearold patient who has a long history of copd. Samples from the pulmonary artery are however, more accurate and can only be performed if the patient has a pa catheter.
By adding your knowledge of your patients clinical condition to whats happening with his oxygenation, ventilation, and acidbase balance, you can intervene correctly and deliver better patient care. When the ph is normal, it will be fully compensated. To interpret compensation on an abg, what we will see is that the co2 and the bicarb are both abnormal, and they are in opposite conditions. Feb 15, 2008 arterial blood gas interpretation information in this slide presentation is adapted from all you really need to know to interpret arterial blood gases 2 nd slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Analysis of arterial blood gases a comprehensive approach japi. His paco2 is lower than normal, reflecting the lungs attempt to compensate.
This is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in plasma. Fourstep method of interpreting arterial blood gas analysis. Adult students demonstrate various methods of learning to enhance their knowledge base. This article provides the physiological basis for assessing abgs perioperatively and presents a systematic approach to blood gas analysis using the romanski method. Case progression 12 hrs postsurfactant compliance 1. Understanding arterial blood gases katherine m a rogers. Orlando health is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the florida board. To adequately use this information, one must have a basic understanding of gas transportation and acidbase physiology. Weve created this guide, which aims to provide a structured approach to abg interpretation whilst also increasing your understanding of each results relevance. It only addresses acidbase balance and considers just 3 values. Material protected by copyright introduction using laboratory values can be a key piece of assessment to determine what is occurring within the body of a patient. Mistakes in arterial blood gas abg interpretation are common in clinical practice. Do not be intimidated by abg interpretation no longer.
The cause of the acidosis is the p a co 2, which is the respiratory component of the abg results. Nurses are often the first members of the health care team to see abg results and an understanding of their significance and the ability to decide when medical staff need to be. She was recently admitted to the hospital with the following abg results. Ms doe, a 75 year old diabetic, has a long history of noncompliance with her insulin. Interpretation of arterial blood gases abgs david a. Abg for dummies abg, arterial blood gases, emergency, job, nurses working in emergency department require you to capable do most of the procedure include reading arterial blood gases value. Acid base disorders acidbase homeostasis is fundamental for maintaining life the hydrogenion concentration is tightly regulated because changes in hydrogen ions alter virtually all protein and membrane functions. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other health care personnel.
Because the ph is abnormal, you know compensation is not complete. University of pittsburgh medical center page four a. Apr 20, 2020 when interpreting abg results, it is essential to know what abg values are considered normal. The normal ranges and the significance of abnormal abg results are explored. The article begins with a brief revision of related physiology followed by a description of the primary disorders of acidbase balance. The most important points when assessing a patient are the history, examination and basic observations. Apr 05, 2019 consider what abg results might be associated with various diseases and how changes in ventilation, metabolic status or fluids might change the patient presentation. Understanding the significance of the findings for arterial blood gases abg is the first step in the interpretation of them. Consider what abg results might be associated with various diseases and how changes in ventilation, metabolic status or fluids might change the patient presentation.
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