Al-Kitab University

Medical Analysis / Fourth Stage

PREPARED BY :

Mohammad Najam

Supervised BY :
1. INTRODUCTION

2. WHAT ABG MEASURES

3. ABG APPLICATION

4. VALUES OF THE TEST

5. ABG INTERPRETATION

6. HAZARD / COMPLICATION

A blood gas test measures the amount of oxygen and carbon

dioxide in the blood . It may also be used to determine the
pH of the blood . The test is commonly known as a blood gas
analysis or arterial blood gas (ABG) test . The red blood cells
( RBC ) transport oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the
body . These are known as blood gases . As blood passes
through the lungs , oxygen flows into the blood while carbon
dioxide flows out of the blood into the lungs . The blood gas
test can determine how well the lungs are able to move
oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the
blood . Imbalances in the oxygen , carbon dioxide , and pH
levels of the blood can indicate the presence of certain
medical conditions .
 Partial pressure of oxygen

This measures the pressure of oxygen dissolved in the blood

and how well oxygen is able to move from the airspace of the
lungs into the blood .

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide

This measures the pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in the

blood and how well carbon dioxide is able to move out of the
body.

pH

The pH measures hydrogen ions (H+) in blood . The pH of

blood is usually between 7.35 and 7.45. A pH of less than
7.0 is called acidic and a pH greater than 7.0 is called basic
(alkaline) . So blood is slightly basic .

Bicarbonate

. Bicarbonate is a chemical (buffer) that keeps the pH of

blood from becoming too acidic or too basic .

Oxygen Saturation (O2Sat)

 Oxygen saturation measures how much of the hemoglobin in
the red blood cells is carrying oxygen (O2) .

 To document respiratory failure and assess its severity

 To monitor patients on ventilators and assist in weaning
 To assess acid base imbalance in critical illness
 To assess response to therapeutic interventions and
mechanical ventilation
 To assess pre-op patients

NAME VALUE
PH7.35 -7.45
HCO3- 22-26mmol/L
pO75-100mmhg
2

pCO35-45
2 mmhg
 Haemog 135 - 180g/L
lobin

Can be caused by either an increase in circulating acids or a

loss of base ( HCO3- ) . These includes ;

Renal failure
Lactic acidosis
Keto acidosis
Diarrhea

Can be caused by an increase in (HCO3-) or loss of metabolic

acids . These include ;

Prolonged vomiting
Hypokalaemia
GI suctioning

Caused by increased CO2 levels which is then converted to and

acid ( H + ) as the body tries compensate by excreting acids
via the kidneys . These include ;

Hypoventilation ( Sedatives , Sedation , Opiates )

Depression of rspiratory centre in brain stem via trauma
Pneumonia
Pulmonary oedema
Asthma

Caused by a hyperventilation , the body is getting rid of too

much CO2 , for example ;

Anxiety
Hypoxaemia ( caused by heart failure )

HAZARD / COMPLICATION
 Haematoma
 Arteriospasm
 Emboli
 Infection
 Haemorrhage
 Vessel trauma
 Arterial occlusion
 Nerve damage
 Pain
 Anaphylaxis (L.A.)
 Needlestick injury to clinician
 Vaso-vagal episode