Scenario four – next steps
A colleague hands you the results of an arterial blood gas sample. What is your next step? You need to use the 5-step approach to analyse her ABG results. Roll over the image to enlarge it.
Step 1: You should review how the patient is. We might expect the following:
- A high PaO2 as being ventilated with 100% oxygen
- Ventilation is excessive and so her PaCO2 may be low
- This in turn may cause an increased pH
- There may be a metabolic acidosis from the brief cardiac arrest
You need to continue using the 5-step approach to analyse this patient’s ABG results. The patient’s condition has not changed since the sample was taken and needs immediate treatment. Roll over the ABG results to enlarge them.
You can find the 5-step approach in the Essentials tab if you need a reminder.
Select Next to continue.
References
5-step approach to ABG interpretation
Step 1 – how is the patient?
Step 2 – is the patient hypoxaemic?
Step 3 – is the patient acidaemic or alkalaemic?
Step 4 – what happened to the PaCO2?
Step 5 – what has happened to the base excess or bicarbonate?
