Assessing for Arterial Blood Gases

and Acid-Base Imbalances

Reference:
Textbook of Medical-Surgical
Nursing, 11th Edition by Brunner &
Suddarth
Normal Values for Arterial Blood and
Mixed Venous Blood

Parameter Arterial Blood Mixed Venous

pH 7.35-7.45 Blood 7.33-7.41

PaCO2 35-45 mmHg 41-51 mmHg

PaO2 80-100 mmHg 35-40 mmHg
HCO3 22-26 mEQ/L 22-26 mEQ/L

Acid-Base Disturbances and

Compensation

Disorder Initial Event Compensation

Respiratory Acidosis pH, or normal Renal acid excretion
HCO3, PaCO2 and serum HCO3
Respiratory Alkalosis pH, or normal Renal acid excretion
HCO3, PaCO2 and serum HCO3
Metabolic Acidosis pH, HCO3, or Hyperventilation
normal PaCO2 with resulting PaCO
(Conserves HCO3)
Metabolic Alkalosis pH, HCO3, or Hypoventilation
normal PaCO2 with resulting
PaCO2

Sample Exercise:
1. pH = 7. 32
 HCO3 = 20 mEQ/L
PaCO2 = 36 mmHg

ANSWER:

Based on table of acid base disturbances, the given

result is concluded to be METABOLIC ACIDOSIS.

In your own, answer the given

first practice test:

1. pH = 7. 46
HCO3 = 26 mEQ/L
PaCO2 = 33 mmHg
 2. pH = 7.48
HCO3 = 27 mEQ/L
PaCO2 = 38 mmHg
3. pH = 7.32
HCO3 = 28 mmHg
PaCO2 = 47 mEQ/L
4. pH = 7.47
HCO3 = 25mmHg
PaCO2 = 34 mEQ/L
5. pH = 7.31
HCO3 = 20 mmHg
PaCO2 = 40 mEQ/L

ANSWERS:
1. Respiratory Alkalosis
2. Metabolic Alkalosis 3.
Respiratory Acidosis 4.
Respiratory Alkalosis 5.
Metabolic Acidosis
 2
N D
Set of Practice Exercises
Interpret the ff arterial blood gas values. Identify if it is uncompensated, compensated,
partially compensated respiratory/metabolic acidosis/alkalosis. (Answers will be
provided @1pm
• pH: 7.76, CO2: 34, HCO3: 13
• pH: 7.22, CO2: 34, HCO3: 12
• pH: 7.67, CO2: 35, HCO3: 33
• pH: 7.22, CO2: 50, HCO3: 33
• pH: 7.28, CO2: 33, HCO3: 20
• pH: 7.74, CO2: 47, HCO3: 37
• pH: 7.29, CO2: 30, HCO3: 14
• pH: 7.31, CO2: 31, HCO3: 17
• pH: 7.5, CO2: 36, HCO3: 33
• pH: 7.54, CO2: 55, HCO3: 38