Arterial Blood Gases

Course Overview

Refresh your knowledge of basic arterial blood gas (ABG) results interpretation and their relationship to metabolic and respiratory abnormalities with this Ausmed Course, now!

Topics

• Components of the arterial blood gas analysis
• Factors that may affect arterial blood gas levels
• Classifying acid-base disorders and their causes
• Compensatory mechanisms
• Venous blood gas analysis

Need

There are text books devoted to arterial blood gas interpretation, however, there’s no point going into complex biochemistry if you don’t have a solid understanding of the basics.

Most of the time, basic ABG interpretation is all that is needed, and having the skill to recognise a problem, a potential cause, and maybe even a treatment, can save someone’s life.

Some other oversimplified methods of understanding ABGs may help diagnose the overall arterial blood gas but they fail in helping us understand what it means for our patient.

This course aims to find a balance between giving learners the confidence to relate what they are interpreting back to their patient, while using a simple to understand five-step method.

Purpose

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to give learners the confidence to relate meaning from arterial blood gas results back to their patient using an easy to understand method.

Learning Outcomes

• Know the basics of performing an arterial blood gas analysis.
• Understand normal and abnormal arterial blood gas levels.
• Describe compensatory mechanisms and the classification of acid-base disorders.
• Appreciate how blood gas analysis can assist in patient care.

Target Audience

Healthcare professionals in all settings, but particularly for those working in acute care settings, emergency departments, and critical care.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Tony King View profile

Tony King is a registered nurse and intensive care nurse educator with Epworth Healthcare. He completed a research Masters by evaluating factors that influence quality end-of-life care. Tony is passionate about developing all healthcare professionals, recognising we all have knowledge and strengths that positively contribute to a patient's journey.