Interpreting ABGs

Framework (5 modules):

• Understanding the values — pH, PaCO2, HCO3, PaO2 and what each actually represents

• The systematic method — pH first, then which value explains it, mixed disorders, the "normal pH doesn't mean nothing's wrong" trap

• The four primary disorders — respiratory acidosis/alkalosis, metabolic acidosis/alkalosis, with common causes

• Compensation — uncompensated / partially / fully, and what it tells you about timeline

• Oxygenation and the full picture — reading PaO2/SaO2 as a separate axis from acid-base

Practice Lab — ABG Interpretation Practice Lab (5 drills):

• Read the value — 8 single values classified low/normal/high

• Respiratory or metabolic? — 6 partial sets identifying which system explains the pH

• Name the disorder — 8 full sets naming one of the 4 primary disorders

• Compensation status — 9 sets (3 each: uncompensated, partial, full)

• Full interpretation — 5 complete panels with clinical context, combining disorder + compensation + oxygenation