ABGs and Acid-Base Balance

Question 1

What are the two main organs involved in maintaining the acid-base balance in the body?

Answer 1

The lungs and the kidneys

Question 2

What is the body’s normal pH?

Answer 2

7.35 - 7.45

Question 3

What is the normal range for pCO2

Answer 3

35 - 45 mm/Hg

Question 4

What is the normal range for HCO3 (bicarbonate)?

Answer 4

22 - 26 mEq/L

Question 5

What is the normal range for pO2?

Answer 5

80 - 100 mm/Hg

Question 6

What value do the lungs control?

Answer 6

pCO2

Question 7

What value do the kidneys control?

Answer 7

HCO3

Question 8

What is the “absolute normal” for pH?

Answer 8

7.40

Question 9

Is CO2 an acid or a base?

Answer 9

an acid

Question 10

Is HCO3 an acid or a base?

Answer 10

a base

Question 11

Is a pH less than 7.35 considered acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 11

Acidosis

Question 12

Is a pH higher than 7.45 considered acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 12

Alkalosis

Question 13

How do you determine whether is the respiratory system or the metabolic system which is causing the problem?

Answer 13

Look to see which value (CO2 or HCO3) “agrees” with the pH.

Question 14

How do you determine if the body is compensating for an acid-base imbalance?

Answer 14

If the 3rd value is normal, there is no compensation. If the 3rd value is abnormal, there is compensation.

Question 15

If CO2 is > 45, is it considered acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 15

Acidosis

Question 16

If HCO3 is > 26, is it considered acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 16

Alkalosis

Question 17

If CO2 is < 35, is it considered acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 17

Alkalosis

Question 18

If HCO3 is < 22, is it considered acidosis or alkalosis?

Answer 18

Acidosis

Question 19

Which system can compensate quickly and which slowly?

Answer 19

Respiratory responds quickly, metabolic responds slowly.

Question 20

What is considered no compensation and what is considered partial compensation?

Answer 20

No compensation is when one system remains normal.

Partial compensation is when both systems are abnormal.

Question 21

What range of pO2 is considered mild hypoxemia?

Answer 21

60 - 80 mm/Hg

Question 22

What range of pO2 is considered moderate hypoxemia?

Answer 22

40 - 60 mm/Hg

Question 23

What range of pO2 is considered severe hypoxemia?

Answer 23

< 40 mm/Hg

Question 24

When is it considered full compensation?

Answer 24

When both CO2 and HCO3 are abnormal (opposite each other) and pH is normal.