title: Using an algorithm to interpret arterial blood gases.
abstract: The arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, one of the most common tests ordered, provides clinicians with valuable information on a patient's oxygenation and acid-base balance. Interpreting ABG analysis results can be challenging, even for the most experienced practitioners, because it requires knowledge of the physiology and cause-and-effect relationship of the disturbances. Applying the principles and the ABG algorithm described in this article will provide nurses with a systematic way to interpret uncomplicated arterial blood gas results, including primary, mixed, and compensated acidbase disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Fla., USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shoulders-Odom
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D000465:Algorithms; D000471:Alkalosis / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000451:nursing*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003663:Decision Trees; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*