Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpretation Made Easy Chart

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Interpretation Made Easy Chart

Normal ABG Levels
pH Hydrogen 7.35 – 7.45
PaCO2 Carbon dioxide 35 – 45 mmHg
HCO3- Bicarbonate 22 – 26 mmol/L

pH: Acidic or Alkalotic?
If the ABG results reveal pH numbers are not within the normal range, the patient’s pH level is either acidotic or alkalotic.

Compensated or Uncompensated?	Respiratory or Metabolic?	Acidic or Alkalotic?	pH	PaCO2	HCO3–
	Respiratory	Acidosis	Low	High
	Respiratory	Alkalosis	High	Low
	Metabolic	Acidosis	Low		Low
	Metabolic	Alkalosis	High		High
Compensated	Respiratory	Acidosis	Normal	High
Compensated	Respiratory	Alkalosis	Normal	Low
Compensated	Metabolic	Acidosis	Normal		Low
Compensated	Metabolic	Alkalosis	Normal		High