title: Four steps to interpreting arterial blood gases.
abstract: This article examines acid-base balance and the interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABG). The article begins with a brief revision of related physiology, followed by a description of the primary disorders associated with acid-base imbalance. The normal ranges and the significance of abnormal ABG results are explored. The article concludes by providing an easy to follow four-step guide to ABG interpretation with practice examples presented in the CPD task section.
authors.forename: K M A
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCutcheon
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000451:nursing*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic