ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS

(ABG) ANALYSIS

Life is a struggle, not against

sin, not against the Money
Power, not against malicious
animal magnetism, but against
hydrogen ions."
H.L. MENCKEN

What Is An ABG?
pH - [H+]
PCO2 - Partial
pressureCO2
PO2 -partial pressure
O2
HCO3 - Bicarbonate

Purpose of ABG
Analysis

Evaluates how effectively the lungs are

delivering oxygen to the blood

Evaluates how efficiently they are

eliminating carbon dioxide from it.

Indicates how well the lungs and kidneys

are interacting to maintain normal blood pH
(acid-base balance).

MEASURING
OXYGEN IN BLOOD

PaO

Partial pressure of O is a measure

of the tension (pressure) of oxygen
dissolved in plasma.
2

SaO2
Extent to which hemoglobin in
arterial blood is saturated with the
oxygen, represents the capacity of
blood to carry oxygen.

Oxygen Dissociation Curve

Pulse oxymetry

Non invasive method of

determining oxygen saturation

pH
The pH is a
measurement of the
acidity or alkalinity of
the blood.
It is inversely
proportional to the no.
of (H+) in the blood.
The normal pH range
is 7.35-7.45.

ACIDS

volatile acids

nonvolatile acids

BASES
It is a substance which can accept
an H ion thereby removing it from
circulating serum

Alterations in acidbase balance

Cause

Sign & Symptoms

Acute
Respiratory
Acidosis

Hypoventilation
(over sedation,
exhaustion)

Shallow
breathing
Drowsiness

Chronic
(compensated)
Respiratory
Acidosis

Airways
obstruction,
chronic
hypoventilation
(COPD)

Signs of, e.g.

COPD

Respiratory
Alkalosis

Acute
Dizziness
hyperventilation, Tingling fingers
numbness
around mouth

Cause

Sign &
Symptoms

Metabolic
Acidosis

Ketoacidosis
from diabetes,
loss of alkali
from, e.g.
diarrhea, chronic
renal failure

Hyperventilation
DrowsinessComa
Arrhythmias (if
severe)

Metabolic
Alkalosis

Volume depletion Delirium or

tetany if sever
Diuretics
Removal of acid

Arterial Blood Gases

PaCO partial pressure of CO

refers to the pressure or
tension exerted by dissolved
CO gas in arterial blood.
2

BICARBONATE

Main base found in the serum

Helps body regulate the Ph as it
accept H ion.

Thank You and

God Bless!