Arterial blood gas interpretation worksheet with answers

Free printable Arterial blood gas interpretation worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

1.Easy

Practice values: Na⁺ 133, K⁺ 4.2, Cl⁻ 98 and HCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L. Calculate the anion gap AG = Na⁺ − (Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻), without potassium.

Na⁺ 133 mmol/LK⁺ 4.2 mmol/LCl⁻ 98 mmol/LHCO₃⁻ 24 mmol/L

AG = mmol/L

2.Easy

A practice blood gas shows PaO₂ 72 mmHg (9.6 kPa) while the inspired oxygen is 21%. Calculate the ratio P/F = PaO₂/FiO₂ in mmHg.

PaO₂ 72 mmHg (9.6 kPa)FiO₂ 21%

P/F = mmHg

3.Medium

A practice gas shows a metabolic acidosis with HCO₃⁻ 14 mmol/L. Use Winter’s formula to find the expected PaCO₂ (the centre of the range) in mmHg.

HCO₃⁻ 14 mmol/L

PaCO₂ = mmHg

4.Medium

A practice gas shows a metabolic acidosis with HCO₃⁻ 16 mmol/L. Use Winter’s formula to find the expected PaCO₂ (the centre of the range) in mmHg.

HCO₃⁻ 16 mmol/L

PaCO₂ = mmHg

5.Hard

Practice values: Na⁺ 141, Cl⁻ 113, HCO₃⁻ 18 mmol/L and albumin 22 g/L. Find the albumin-corrected anion gap AG_c = AG + 0.25·(40 − albumin).

Na⁺ 141 mmol/LCl⁻ 113 mmol/LHCO₃⁻ 18 mmol/Lalbumin 22 g/L

AG_c = mmol/L

6.Hard

A practice gas shows pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 28 mmHg (3.7 kPa) and HCO₃⁻ 14 mmol/L, with Na⁺ 136 and Cl⁻ 105 mmol/L. Use the anion gap and the delta ratio to click the best interpretation.

pH 7.32PaCO₂ 28 mmHg (3.7 kPa)HCO₃⁻ 14 mmol/LNa⁺ 136 mmol/LCl⁻ 105 mmol/L

1added normal-gap acidosis
2pure high-gap acidosis
3added metabolic alkalosis

Answer key

1. AG = 11 mmol/L
2. P/F = 342.9 mmHg
3. PaCO₂ = 29 mmHg
4. PaCO₂ = 32 mmHg
5. AG_c = 14.5 mmol/L
6. added normal-gap acidosis

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