ABG Interpretation Worksheet

Directions: For each of the following ABG findings:

1. ABG Interpretation: Determine the acid-base disturbance and whether compensation
is present (uncompensated, partial compensation, full compensation).
2. Compensatory Mechanism: Identify the body system that will compensate for the
acid-base disturbance and the actual or potential event that will occur to compensate
for the disturbance.

Number 1: Example
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.33 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 60 ↑ Acidosis
HCO3- 31 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: kidneys excrete H+, retain HCO3- helping
restore balance

Number 2:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.42 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 18 ↓ Alkalosis
HCO3- 11 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: Kidneys excrete HCO3-; H+ are retained
Number 3:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.28 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 32 ↓ Alkalosis
HCO3- 15 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Respiratory system: ↑ respiratory rate & depth; renal
system retains bicarbonate
Number 4:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.36 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 75 ↑ Acidosis
HCO3- 41 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: kidneys excrete H+ , retain HCO3- to help
restore balance
Number 5:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.42 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 18 ↓ Alkalosis
HCO3- 11 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Fully compensated respiratory alkalosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: Kidney excrete HCO3-; retain H+
Number 6:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.36 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 72 ↑ Acidosis
HCO3- 39 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: : Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: kidneys excrete H+ , retain HCO3-
Number 7:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.48 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 50 ↑ Acidosis
O2 sat 100% NL
HCO3- 29 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Respiratory system: ↓ respiratory rate & depth
Number 8:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.51 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 32 ↓ Alkalosis
HCO3- 20 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: Kidneys excrete HCO3- and H+ are retained
Number 9:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.10 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 25 ↓ Alkalosis
HCO3- 7 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Respiratory system: ↑ respiratory rate & depth
Number 10:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.08 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 42 NL
HCO3- 12 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Respiratory system ↑ respiratory rate & depth
Number 11:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.55 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 52 ↑ Acidosis
HCO3- 27 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated metabolic alkalosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Respiratory system: ↓ respiratory rate & depth
Number 12:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.33 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 60 ↑ Acidosis
HCO3- 31 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: Partially compensated respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: Kidney excrete H+, retain HCO3-
Number 13:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.36 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 32 ↓ Alkalosis
HCO3- 20 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation:
Compensatory Mechanism:
Number 14:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.44
PaCO2 48
HCO3- 29
ABG Interpretation: Fully compensated metabolic acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Respiratory system: ↑ respiratory rate & depth
Number 15:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.21 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 60 ↑ Acidosis
HCO3- 23 NL
ABG Interpretation: Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Renal system: Kidneys excrete H+, retain HCO3-
Number 16:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 7.55 ↑ Alkalosis
PaCO2 32 ↓ Alkalosis
PaO2 92 NL
O2 sat 98% NL
HCO3- 27 ↑ Alkalosis
ABG Interpretation: Mixed Alkalosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Ineffective compensatory mechanisms
Number 17:
Test Value Interpretation
pH 6.82 ↓ Acidosis
PaCO2 75 ↑ Acidosis
PaO2 100 NL
O2 sat 89% ↓
HCO3- 12 ↓ Acidosis
ABG Interpretation: Mixed acidosis
Compensatory Mechanism: Ineffective compensatory mechanisms