{"id":2467,"date":"2021-11-17T16:29:25","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T00:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicolekupchikconsulting.com\/news\/?p=2467"},"modified":"2025-03-11T09:19:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:19:16","slug":"arterial-blood-gases-abgs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nicolekupchikconsulting.com\/news\/arterial-blood-gases-abgs\/","title":{"rendered":"Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Normal ABG Interpretations<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Arterial blood gases (ABG) are a quick way to evaluate for respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic disorders. ABGs are ran from an arterial blood sample and give you the following results: pH, PaCO2<\/sub>, PaHCO3, PaO2, base excess\/deficit, and SaO2. If you are a bedside nurse working in an area where ABGs are commonly drawn, you should know how to quickly interpret ABG results, as well as what they mean and how you might fix them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is your patient\u2019s CO2 elevated? What can you do to fix this? What might your nursing assessment look like in a patient with a low HCO3?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allen\u2019s Test<\/h2>\n\n\n
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An Allen\u2019s test is a quick way to identify if a patient has adequate arterial circulation in their hand prior to puncturing the site for an ABG (or arterial line). To perform this test:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Locate the ulnar and radial arteries on your patient\u2019s hand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Occlude both arteries and have your patient clench and open their hand 10 times<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Release the ulnar artery and maintain radial artery occlusion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The hand should flush pink. Capillary refill time should be less than 6 seconds in order to have a POSITIVE Allen\u2019s test. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    *If capillary refill time is greater than 6 seconds, this indicates a NEGATIVE Allen\u2019s test and that circulation may be compromised if intravascular access to the artery is initiated<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Metabolic vs. Respiratory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When interpreting an ABG, it is important to note if it is a metabolic and\/or respiratory issue. So, how do we know if we are looking at a metabolic or respiratory issue?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If PaCO2 is the cause, it\u2019s RESPIRATORY! If PaHCO3 is the cause, it\u2019s METABOLIC! If both are the cause, then you have a MIXED respiratory\/metabolic issue.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Three Easy Steps to ABG Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Interpreting an ABG can seem complicated at first, but trust me, once you get the hang of it…it is easy peasy! Here are three easy steps to analyzing ABGs:<\/p>\n\n\n

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    1. Always assess the pH first! Is it normal?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Is there acidosis or alkalosis?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Which other value is trending with the pH? PaCO2 or PaHCO3?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      *BONUS TIP: remember \u201cROME\u201d (Respiratory Opposite Metabolic Equal)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n