03_06_05 ABG interpretation: metabolic

ABG Interpretation: Metabolic
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the interpretation of arterial blood gases and describes common types and causes of metabolic acid-base disturbance.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain basic concepts in acid-base physiology
• Describe a systematic approach to arterial blood gas analysis and further investigation of metabolic disturbances
• Explain how to calculate and use the anion gap, delta ratio, osmolar gap and urinary anion gap in practice
• List the common causes of metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis in critical care medicine

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete:

• Acid Base Balance and Buffers (001-0614)

Acid-base disturbances are commonly found in critical care patients. An understanding of normal acid-base physiology, homeostatic processes designed to maintain this and the pathophysiology of abnormalities in acid-base status can allow you to tailor effective treatment for this group of patients.

There are several different approaches to quantifying acid-base disorders when interpreting an arterial blood gas, including the traditional approach based on the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffer system and the Stewart approach.

This session presents a method which can easily be applied in clinical practice to recognise and determine the type and cause of a metabolic acid-base disturbance.