Blood gas analysis can be an important tool in diagnosing patients with conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, metabolic and respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis.
Abnormal arterial blood gas (ABG) results can be due to a wide range of disease states such as poisoning, lung disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders. Traumas such as head or neck injuries can also cause abnormal results. Additionally, ABG analysis can be invaluable in cases of drug overdose and uncontrolled diabetes.
To better understand the concepts of blood gas analysis, let's first review some basic definitions.
