Let’s talk about blood pH for a moment because if FULL compensation presents there will NOT be a tic tac toe and you will have to look closely at the blood pH to determine which system is causing the issue and which system is trying to “fix” the issue (hence compensate).Ī normal blood pH is 7.35-7.45. Here is a guide to help you understand it: For HCO3 anything less than 22 is an acid and anything greater than 26 is a base. For CO2 (NOTE: it is the opposite) anything less than 35 is a base and anything greater than 45 is an acid. For pH anything less than 7.35 is an acid and anything greater than 7.45 is a base. Now to determine when these values are considered an acid or base. HCO3: 22-26 (HCO3 lab value ALWAYS indicates a METABOLIC issue).CO2: 35-45 (CO2 lab value ALWAYS indicates a RESPIRATORY issue).Here they are and their normal numeric values (commit them to memory): When you are analyzing ABG results there are three things to look for when trying to find out if your patient is in respiratory or metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. Metabolic Alkalosis (uncompensated, partially compensated, or fully compensated).Metabolic Acidosis (uncompensated, partially compensated, or fully compensated).Respiratory Alkalosis (uncompensated, partially compensated, or fully compensated). Respiratory Acidosis (uncompensated, partially compensated, or fully compensated).Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more teaching videos.Įxplanation & Examples on Solving ABGs Problemsīelow are the terms used to label abnormal ABG results: Watch this video I made on how to use the TIC TAC TOE Method for solving Arterial Blood Gases. Easy Way on How to Interpret Arterial Blood Gases ABGs with Tic Tac Toeįirst, we need to lay the foundation and talk about what three lab values you need to look at when trying to figure out ABGs, how to determine if that value is consider normal, an acid, or basic (alkalotic), and what fancy terms are used once the ABG is figured out. Luckily there is a super easy way to help you interpret ABGs and I want to share it with you below. However, as the nurse taking care of the patient with abnormal Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) it is your responsibility to know what to report to the doctor and how to properly oxygenate your patient based on their ABGs. Some of these nurses feel they will never use it in their job and feel it is the respiratory therapist’s job or find it’s too confusing to understand. Many new nurses feel they are not comfortable with interpreting ABGs after they graduate. Why Learn How to Interpret Arterial Blood Gases as Nurse?īeing able to interpret Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) as a nurse is very important. Respiratory Acidosis vs Respiratory Alkalosis.Dosage & Calculation Problems in Nursing School.After you read and watch the video on using the Tic Tac Toe Method, don’t forget to that the ABG’s practice quiz to test your knowledge.
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