Practice arterial blood gas interpretation with student-friendly ABG examples, answer explanations, and calculator support. Use these cases to sharpen your acid-base skills step by step.
For each ABG:
After making your interpretation, compare your answer with the explanation below and use the PulmTools ABG calculator to double check your logic.
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis with mild hypoxemia
The pH is low, so this is acidosis. PaCO₂ is high, pointing to a respiratory cause. HCO₃⁻ is normal, so there is no metabolic compensation yet. PaO₂ is low, showing mild hypoxemia.
Uncompensated respiratory alkalosis with normal oxygenation
The pH is high, so this is alkalosis. PaCO₂ is low, which makes the primary disorder respiratory alkalosis. HCO₃⁻ is still normal, so this is uncompensated.
Partially compensated metabolic acidosis with normal oxygenation
The pH is low, so the patient is acidotic. HCO₃⁻ is low, making this metabolic acidosis. PaCO₂ is also low, meaning the lungs are compensating by blowing off CO₂.
Fully compensated metabolic alkalosis with normal oxygenation
The pH is slightly high but near normal. HCO₃⁻ is elevated, which points to metabolic alkalosis. PaCO₂ is also elevated in the same direction, showing respiratory compensation.
Uncompensated respiratory acidosis with moderate hypoxemia
The pH is very low, showing significant acidosis. PaCO₂ is markedly elevated, so this is respiratory acidosis. HCO₃⁻ is near normal, meaning little to no compensation. PaO₂ is low enough for moderate hypoxemia.
Fully compensated metabolic acidosis with normal oxygenation
The pH is within the normal range but leans acidotic. HCO₃⁻ is very low, so the primary disorder is metabolic acidosis. PaCO₂ is also low, showing appropriate respiratory compensation.
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