Arterial blood gasses

Sa O2 MUST be on room air (FiO2 = 0.21)

Hypoxemia - look @ pO2

 * 60-75 mild hypoxemia
 * 45-59 moderate hypoxemia
 * < 45 severe hypoxemia

pH

 * Acidic pH < 7.35
 * Basic pH > 7.45
 * If the pH is not in the direction of the pCO2 then this is a metabolic disorder with respiratory compensation
 * If the pH is NORMAL and the pCO2 is abnormal, then this is a fully compensated respiratory disorder
 * If pH is in the direction predicted by the paCO2 and the BE=0 (BE = base excess) then this is an uncompensated respiratory disorder
 * If pH is in the direction predicted by PaCO2 and BE is + or - then partially compensated respiratory disorder

pCO2

 * Acidic > 45
 * indicates hypoventillation


 * Basic < 35
 * indicated hyperventillation

HCO3

 * Acidic < 24
 * Basic > 26

Count the number of acid (A) vs. base (B)

 * if pCO2 A/B matched pH A/B - respiratory
 * if HCO3 A/B matches pH A/B - metabolic

Compensation
If the change in PCO2
 * increases by 10 - HCO3 increases by 1 - acute respiratory acidosis
 * increases by 10 - HCO3 increases by 3-5 - chronic respiratory acidosis
 * decreases by 10 - HCO3 decreases by 2 - acute respiratory alkalosis
 * decreases by 10 - HCO3 decreases by 5 - chronic respiratory alkalosis