title: Arterial blood gas analysis. 2: compensatory mechanisms.
abstract: This is the second of a two-part unit discussing arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis. Part 1 outlined background information on ABG reports and focused on a systematic approach to ABG analysis. This part examines the physiology of the various lines of defence in the body and explores the concept of compensation. A step-by-step guide to interpretation and examples of uncomplicated ABGs are available in the Portfolio Pages for this unit at nursingtimes.net, as well as further practice examples relevant to this part of the unit.
authors.affiliation: King's Mill Hospital, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Jacqueline Mandy
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Coggon
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000471:Alkalosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D002255:Carbonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D002255:Carbonic Acid