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ABG Tic-Tac-Toe

Values:
pH (acid): < 7.35 PaCO2 (acid): > 45 HCO3 (acid): < 22
pH (normal): 7.35 – 7.45 PaCO2 (normal): 35 – 45 HCO3 (normal): 22 – 26
pH (base): > 7.45 PaCO2 (base): < 35 HCO3 (base): > 26

ABG values: pH______________ PaCO2__________________ HCO3_____________________

Acid/Normal/Base: pH_________ PaCO2__________________ HCO3_____________________

Now plug in your values:

Acid Normal Base (Alkaline)

pH

PaCO2

HCO3

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS:
Respiratory acidosis uncompensated: pH acid () PaCO2 acid () HCO3 normal
Respiratory acidosis partially compensated: pH acid () PaCO2 acid () HCO3 base ()
Respiratory acidosis totally compensated: pH normal PaCO2 acid () HCO3 base ()

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS:
Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated: pH base () PaCO2 base () HCO3 normal
Respiratory alkalosis partially compensated: pH base () PaCO2 base () HCO3 acid ()
Respiratory alkalosis totally compensated: pH normal PaCO2 base () HCO3 acid ()

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS:
Metabolic acidosis uncompensated: pH acid () PaCO2 normal HCO3 acid ()
Metabolic acidosis partially compensated: pH acid () PaCO2 base () HCO3 acid ()
Metabolic acidosis totally compensated: pH normal PaCO2 base () HCO3 acid ()

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS:
Metabolic alkalosis uncompensated: pH base () PaCO2 normal HCO3 base ()
Metabolic alkalosis partially compensated: pH base () PaCO2 acid () HCO3 base ()
Metabolic alkalosis totally compensated: pH normal PaCO2 acid () HCO3 base ()

Interpretation:
Uncompensated: pH and one other value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) are abnormal. Abnormal pH determines whether acidosis or
alkalosis. Abnormal PaCO2 or HCO3 determines whether respiratory or metabolic.
PaCO2 abnormal = respiratory; HCO3 abnormal = metabolic.
Partial compensation: all values are abnormal. Two values “agree” (pH and either PaCO2 or HCO3 are BOTH acid or BOTH base),
and the remaining value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) is the OPPOSITE of the pH. The value (PaCO2 or HCO3) that “agrees” with the pH
is correct (determines whether respiratory or metabolic).
Compensation: pH is normal, both PaCO2 and HCO3 are abnormal. One will be acidotic, the other base. The value that most closely
matches the pH identifies the true (underlying) state. If the fully compensated pH is between 7.35-7.40, then the normal pH is closer to
the acid end and the acidotic value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) is correct. If the pH is between 7.40-7.45, then the normal pH is closer to
the alkalotic end and the base value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) is correct.
 Acid-Base Interpretation Table Values
Respiratory acidosis uncompensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Respiratory acidosis partially compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Respiratory acidosis totally compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Acid Normal Base
Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated
pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Respiratory alkalosis partially compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Respiratory alkalosis totally compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Metabolic acidosis uncompensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Metabolic acidosis partially compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Metabolic acidosis totally compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Metabolic alkalosis uncompensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Metabolic alkalosis partially compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X
Metabolic alkalosis totally compensated Acid Normal Base

pH X
PaCO2 X
HCO3 X