When and why is an ABG required?

Published on 09/04/2015 by admin

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Last modified 09/04/2015

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1.7 When and why is an ABG required?

1 To establish a diagnosis

The ABG is integral to the diagnosis of respiratory failure and primary hyperventilation. It also identifies the presence of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

2 To assess illness severity

The four ABG values shown in the table below, in addition to overall clinical assessment, may help identify critically unwell patients requiring urgent intervention.

PaO2< 8 kPa

Below 8 kPa, falls in PaO2 produce a marked reduction in SaO2 (the ‘steep’ part of the O2 dissociation curve) and hence O2 content of blood

Rising PaCO2

Since renal compensation occurs over days to weeks, acute rises in PaCO2 produce a corresponding drop in pH. In respiratory distress, rising PaCO2

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