This article examines acid-base balance and the interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABG). The article begins with a brief revision of related physiology followed by a description of the primary disorders of acid-base balance. The normal ranges and the significance of abnormal ABG results are explored. The article concludes by providing an easy to follow four-step guide to ABG interpretation with practice examples presented in the continuing professional development (CPD) task section.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence2010Review of clinical guideline (CG50): Acutely ill patients in hospital Available from: www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11810/52356/52356.pdf [Accessed March 2013]
7.
Nursing and Midwifery Council2008The code: standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwivesLondon, NMC
8.
RogersK, ScottW2011a Nurses! Test yourself in anatomy and physiologyMaidenhead, McGraw-Hill Open University Press
9.
RogersK, ScottW2011b Nurses! Test yourself in pathophysiologyMaidenhead, McGraw-Hill Open University Press
10.
TortoraG, DerricksonB2011Principles of anatomy and physiologyNew Jersey, John Wiley & Sons
