Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

• standard nomenclature: pH / PaCO2 / PaO2 / HCO3 / O2Sat / BE
• normal values
  • pH: 7.35-7.45
  • PaCO2: 33 - 45 mmHg
  • PaO2: 80 - 100 mmHg
  • HCO3: 21 - 27 mEq/L
  • O2Sat: 95-100%
  • BE +/- 2 mEq/L

 

Correlation of VBG and CBG with ABG are as follows:

 

Venous Blood Gas (VBG)

• pH correlates well with ABG
• PvCO2 is usually within 4-6 mmHg of PaCO2 on ABG (but a bigger gradient is seen in a patient with poor perfusion)

 

Capillary Blood Gas (CBG)

• pH is comparable to the ABG reading
• PaCO2 is comparable to the ABG reading

 

 

Reference: PALS Provider Manual 2015. American Heart Association.

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The Compendium platform was created by David Kwinter, MD, CCFP(EM).