Fast CE For Less
Enroll Now
Listen to this page
Back to all courses
Clinical Practice
Version 1.0
Audio version available

ABG Interpretation

The purpose of this course is to provide healthcare providers with an overview of arterial blood gas interpretation, and acidosis and alkalosis conditions.

Two nurses discussing information on a tablet at a clinical desk.
Contact hours
3
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
—

$15.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 3 contact hours

Secure checkout. Certificates issue instantly and stay in your vault even after a subscription ends.

  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to provide healthcare providers with an overview of arterial blood gas interpretation, and acidosis and alkalosis conditions.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 3 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a commonly used diagnostic tool to evaluate the partial pressure of gas in blood and acid-base content. It is especially important for critically ill patients and helps interpret respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic disorders. This course will discuss the step-by-step approach of ABG interpretation for nurses and other healthcare providers.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Review normal values for arterial blood gas interpretation.
  2. Describe indications and contraindications for obtaining an arterial blood gas.
  3. Identify causes of acidosis and alkalosis.
  4. Recognize the differences between metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis.
  5. Interpret an arterial blood gas through worked example.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Healthcare professionals who want continuing education on ABG Interpretation.

Course outline

25 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    What Is Arterial Blood Gas

  3. 3

    Factors That Affect ABG Interpretation

  4. 4

    Step 1

  5. 5

    Step 2

  6. 6

    Step 3

  7. 7

    Step 4

  8. 8

    Step 5

  9. 9

    Step 6

  10. 10

    The Difference Between Arterial Blood Gas and Venous Blood Gas

  11. 11

    Respiratory Acidosis

  12. 12

    Treatment

  13. 13

    Metabolic Acidosis

  14. 14

    Causes

  15. 15

    Respiratory Alkalosis

  16. 16

    Causes

  17. 17

    Treatment

  18. 18

    Metabolic Alkalosis

  19. 19

    Causes

  20. 20

    Treatment

  21. 21

    Compensation

  22. 22

    Metabolic Compensation

  23. 23

    Case Reflection

  24. 24

    Role of ABG in Trauma Assessment

  25. 25

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

Purchase required to access Fast Facts, pretests, posttests, course evaluations and certificates. Our one free course is the only exception.

This Course Satisfies

    Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. All Users of Fast CE For Less’s website and content are responsible for knowing their state’s license and renewal requirements.

    Update history

      Take this course and the rest of the library

      Unlimited annual access covers every course, every state you track, and your certificates forever.

      ENROLL

      Still have a question?

      Ask about requirements, a course, pricing or your license. Answers come from our own course list and state notes.

      Ask about your license or a course

      Answers come from Fast CE For Less's own course list and our notes on state requirements. Always check your board's own rules before you count hours.