Specimen Name Result Units Range

ABG pH 7.33 (7.36-7.44)
PaO2 85 mmHg (70-100)
PaCO2 62 mmHg (35-45)
HCO3- 34 mmol/L (21-26)

Patient with longstanding CAL.

What is the acid-base disorder?

Chronic Respiratory Acidosis

 

ABG Correction Factors

  1. Metabolic Acidosis:
    • PCO2 : last 2 digits of pH ≥ 7.10
    • HCO3- : for each 10 mmol/L fall → ↓ PCO212 mmHg
  2. Metabolic Alkalosis:
    • PCO2 : last 2 digits of pH ≤ 7.60
    • HCO3- : for each 10 mmol/L rise → ↑ PCO27 mmHg
    • *least well compensated due to hypoxaemia 2° hypoventilation
  3. Respiratory Acidosis:
    • Acute : for each 10 mmHg PCO2 rise → ↑ HCO3-1-2 mmol/L
    • Chronic : for each 10 mmHg PCO2 rise → ↑ HCO3-4 mmol/L
  4. Respiratory Alkalosis:
    • PCO2 : for each 10 mmHg fall → ↓ HCO3-2.5 mmol/L