Arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation includes a review of pH, PCO₂, HCO₃, and PO₂—key numbers that tell you what is happening with your patient’s acid–base balance and oxygenation. In this video, we walk through those core values and show how the anion gap can help you detect metabolic acidosis even when the ABG machine is down.
🩸 ABG Basics Covered in This Lesson
▪️PO₂ (80–100 mmHg):
💠Reflects the body’s ability to take up oxygen at the lungs.
▪️pH (7.35–7.45):
💠Indicates the amount of acid in the body.
💠A lower pH = more acid (acidosis); a higher pH = less acid (alkalosis).
▪️PCO₂ (35–45 mmHg): A respiratory acid.
💠If PCO₂ increases → respiratory acidosis
💠If PCO₂ decreases → respiratory alkalosis
▪️HCO₃⁻ / Bicarbonate (22–26 mEq/L): A metabolic base.
💠If HCO₃ increases → metabolic alkalosis
▪️Compensation:
💠Occurs when the respiratory or metabolic system attempts to bring the pH back toward normal (for example, lungs adjusting CO₂ or kidneys adjusting bicarbonate).
🧪 When You Don’t Have an ABG: Using the Anion Gap
In real life, you may not always have an ABG available. In the video scenario, the ABG machine is down, but you still have basic labs—and that is where the anion gap comes in.
You’ll learn how to:
▪️Think of acids as positively charged and bases as negatively charged
▪️Use sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate from the electrolyte panel to calculate the anion gap
▪️Recognize that:
💠A normal anion gap is about 5–10
💠An anion gap greater than 15 indicates metabolic acidosis
Even without a blood gas, this gives you critical information that you can incorporate into your patient assessment and use to guide treatment before a long transport or higher-level transfer.
💬 Comment below:
Do you feel more comfortable starting with pH/PCO₂/HCO₃, or do you use the anion gap regularly in your practice? Share how you approach ABG interpretation in your unit or service.
Here is some more information about ACLS Certification Association:
ACLS Certification Association prioritizes making life-saving education and medical certifications available in an easy-to-use online format. Our curriculum and testing materials are designed and peer-reviewed by our Medical Review Board utilizing the latest guidelines from ILCOR, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association.
We understand that medical professionals are busy people. Therefore, flexibility is a key feature of our certification training. That allows you to study and test on your time. The unlimited practice tests help you know when you are prepared to take the final exam, and once you’ve completed your certification, you’ll have gained the knowledge and skills to provide life-saving care in an emergency.
We offer all the traditional medical education and training along with many more. Our advanced course selections include ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, and ACLS Experienced Provider. Other selections include Bloodborne Pathogens, 12-Lead ECG/EKG, Arrhythmia Interpretation, Monitor Tech, and CPR/AED/First Aid. If you are already certified and are looking to recertify online, we offer renewal training as well.
Studying for your medical certification doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, studies show that when learning is entertaining and fun, it makes it easier to comprehend and retain information. To that end, we offer hundreds of exciting free videos and whiteboards.
Many medical professions require a valid medical certification, and sometimes multiple certifications are a requirement of employment. These courses are essential because quick and decisive action during a medical emergency leads to improved patient outcomes. Swift action leads to a greater chance of the patient surviving.
Our courses are 100% online and available on any digital device, including phones, surface tablets, and computers.
We take pride in improving patient outcomes through better education. Sign up with ACLS Certification Association to certify or renew today.
✍🏻📑Visit our website for online certification and recertification courses, free learning resources, practice exams, and more.
🌍 https://aclscertification.org/
🔔Get updates from our Social Media Accounts
🌟🌟🌟 / aclsassociation
🌟🌟🌟 / aclsassociation
🌟🌟🌟 / aclsassociation
🌟🌟🌟 / aclscertification
🌟🌟🌟 / aclscertification
🌟🌟🌟 / aclscertification
🌟🌟🌟 https://www.threads.com/@aclsassociation
Please subscribe to our channel and like our videos. Click the bell icon and select all notifications to stay updated on our latest content!
#ABG #ABGInterpretation #CriticalCare #EmergencyMedicine #ICU #MedicalEducation #ParamedicTraining #ACLS #ACLScertification #aclscertificationassociation #CPRdotcom
Chapters:
00:00 Intro to ABGs
00:37 ABG Components Explained
01:40 Normal ABG Values
03:22 ABG Interpretation Steps
07:15 Sample ABG Case
09:35 Summary & Review
Информация по комментариям в разработке