Introduction to Blood Gases (Online CE Course)

Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s) Approved through 2/28/2026

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel Credit Hours - General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s) Approved through 2/28/2026

Objectives

• Define pH using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and its relationship to the acid/base balance in the body.
• State the normal HCO₃^-/H⁺ ratio and its significance to body pH.
• Discuss the behavior of pO₂ and pCO₂ gases in the lungs and the tissues under normal and abnormal conditions.
• Define respiratory and metabolic/non-respiratory acidosis/alkalosis and the organ involved in the regulation of each type.
• Explain the mechanism and the need for compensation as related to blood pH.
• Identify respiratory versus metabolic/non-respiratory acidosis/alkalosis when presented with value sets for pH, HCO₃^-, and pCO₂.
• Discuss the proper procedure for collection and handling of samples for blood gases.

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Course Outline

• Introduction
• Blood Gas Analysis
• Definitions
• Acid
• Base
• pH
• Buffer
• A substance that can yield hydroxide ions (OH-) is defined as a(n):
• pH and Acid/Base Balance
• Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
• Buffer Systems
• Bicarbonate/Carbonic Acid System
• Phosphate System
• Plasma Proteins
• Regulation of Acid/Base Balance
• Elimination of CO2 via Ventilation
• Reclamation of HCO3 from Glomerular Filtrate
• In the lungs, the blood pH is affected via:
• Oxygen and Gas Exchange
• Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
• Conditions Necessary for Tissue Oxygenation
• Factors Influencing Oxygen that Moves Through the Lungs and Tissue
• Oxygen Transport
• Hemoglobin-Oxygen Dissociation
• Factors That Affect the Oxygen Dissociation Curve
• We evaluate oxygen status by measuring which of the following three parameters in a blood gas analysis?
• Blood Gas Measurements
• Values
• Assessment of Acid/Base Homeostasis
• Acidemia/Alkalemia
• Nonrespiratory/Metabolic Acidosis
• Respiratory Acidosis
• Nonrespiratory/Metabolic Alkalosis
• Respiratory Alkalosis
• True or False: Respiratory acidosis results from either a loss of bicarbonate or an increase in organic acids, such as lactic acid or ketoacids, causi...
• Acidosis/Alkalosis Examples
• Acidosis/Alkalosis Examples
• Acidosis/Alkalosis Summary
• Consider the following values from an arterial blood gas analysis:Patient ResultReference RangepH7.307.35-7.45pCO23635-45 mmHgHCO3-1822-26 mmol/LWhat ...
• Physical Conditions/Disease States that Cause/Result in Acidosis/Alkalosis
• Nonrespiratory/Metabolic Acidosis
• Nonrespiratory/Metabolic Alkalosis
• True or False: A loss of acidic fluids can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, a type of nonrespiratory/metabolic acidosis.
• Respiratory Acidosis
• Respiratory Alkalosis
• True or False: Hyperventilation from anxiety or nervousness can cause an increased elimination of CO2 by the lungs, resulting in respiratory alkalosis...
• Table 5: Summary of Acid/Base Conditions and Compensation
• Sources of Error in Blood Gas Analysis
• Sources of Error in Blood Gas Analysis
• Preexamination
• Air Exposure
• Delay in Testing
• Others
• True or False: Exposing an arterial blood gas sample to room air can cause a false elevation in the pCO2 level.
• References
• References

Additional Information