Blood Gas Interpretation
This is the blood gas result for Melanie Slater from scenario SIG001US
Clinical Picture
- 28-year-old woman presenting with shortness of breath
- Patient identifies presentation in keeping with previous acute asthma episodes, with a clear precipitant.
- Effective inhaler use with shortness of breath now resolved.
- Looks well, normal physical examination, no wheeze.
Findings
- Sample type: arterial
- Supplemental oxygen: no
- paO2: 91.7 mmHg
- paCO2: 36.1 mmHg
- pH: 7.43
- Bicarbonate (HCO3-): 23.9mEg/L
- Base excess: +1.4
- Acid-base balance: normal
- Other parameters: normal
Summary
- All parameters were within normal limits on this blood gas.
- The low-normal paCO2, high-normal pH and normal base excess would be consistent with a mild or resolving acute respiratory alkalosis, such as that commonly found in acute asthma.