ABG Analysis

Check out the simplest ABG interpretation ever!

There is a lot of information available about ABG analysis. It is all important, but as a nurse at the bedside, you may be looking for a “quick and dirty” way to get to the interpretation. As I have presented this method in numerous seminars throughout the years, I frequently hear…”where have you been all my career? I have always struggled with interpretation…and this makes sense!”

Your memory hint for ABG interpretation is “If the pH and Bicarbonate are Both in the same direction, it is a metabolic disturbance”. This is similar to “R-O-M-E” which you may have learned in nursing school. But, as a practicing nurse, you may have learned it a long time ago. 😊

As you click on the image below, check out the three examples using this method. Note the way the arrows are going with the pH and HCO₃ to lead you to the correct interpretation. Patient example #3 is a septic patient. Check out the information on the right for the interpretation…metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation. Note the information about venous CO₂ to help you critically think when an ABG may be needed…and has not been ordered yet.