ABG Practice Answers – Part 1

Return to Question

Interpret the following ABG Values to determine what type of Acid-Base Imbalance is present.

Uncompensated examples

1) pH: 7.30, PaCO₂: 38, HCO₃^–: 18 = Metabolic Acidosis

2) pH: 7.25; PaCO₂: 50; HCO₃^–: 23 = Respiratory Acidosis

3) pH: 7.49; PaCO₂: 33; HCO₃^–: 25 = Respiratory Alkalosis

Partially Compensated examples

1) pH: 7.48; PaCO₂: 47; HCO₃^–:30 = Metabolic Alkalosis

2) pH: 7.33; PaCO₂: 49; HCO₃^–: 28 = Respiratory Acidosis

3) pH: 7.52; PaCO₂: 52; HCO₃^–: 33 = Metabolic Alkalosis

Compensated examples

1) pH: 7.43; PaCO₂: 27; HCO₃^–: 18 = Respiratory Alkalosis

2) pH: 7.35; PaCO₂: 48; HCO₃^–: 31 = Respiratory Acidosis

3) pH: 7.39; PaCO₂: 34; HCO₃^–: 21 = Metabolic Acidosis

Unknown – Figure it out for yourself! 🙂

1) pH: 7.32; PaCO₂: 33; HCO₃^–: 20 = Partially Compensated Metabolic Acidosis

2) pH: 7.49; PaCO₂: 30; HCO₃^–: 25 = Uncompensated Respiratory Alkalosis

3) pH: 7.32; PaCO₂: 47; HCO₃^–: 30 = Partially Compensated Respiratory Acidosis

4) pH: 7.43; PaCO₂: 48; HCO₃^–: 35 = Compensated Metabolic Alkalosis

5) pH: 7.38; PaCO₂: 43; HCO₃^–: 24 = Normal…no imbalance!

Return to Questions