🧠 ABG Interpretation for NCLEX: How to Analyze Arterial Blood Gases Fast

Understanding arterial blood gas (ABG) results is one of the most intimidating—but most testable—skills on the NCLEX. Whether you're looking at a respiratory issue or a metabolic crash, your job is to analyze fast and act accordingly.

💡 Normal ABG Lab Values

Parameter	Normal Range
pH	7.35 – 7.45
PaCO₂	35 – 45 mmHg
HCO₃⁻	22 – 26 mEq/L
PaO₂	80 – 100 mmHg
SaO₂	95% – 100%

🎯 ROME Mnemonic: Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal

Use ROME to determine the source of the imbalance:

Disorder	pH	CO₂ or HCO₃	Interpretation Pattern
Respiratory Acidosis	↓	↑ CO₂	Opposite
Respiratory Alkalosis	↑	↓ CO₂	Opposite
Metabolic Acidosis	↓	↓ HCO₃	Equal
Metabolic Alkalosis	↑	↑ HCO₃	Equal

📋 Compensation Guide

Compensation	Interpretation
Uncompensated	One abnormal value + pH out of range
Partially Compensated	All 3 values abnormal, pH still abnormal
Fully Compensated	All 3 abnormal, pH normal

🧪 Sample NCLEX Question

ABG: pH = 7.31, PaCO₂ = 52, HCO₃⁻ = 24. What is the interpretation?

• A. Metabolic alkalosis

• B. Respiratory acidosis ✅

• C. Metabolic acidosis

• D. Respiratory alkalosis

Rationale: pH is low (acidosis), CO₂ is high → Respiratory Acidosis.

🧠 KOTC Study Tips

🧪 Drill lab values every morning with a KOTC daily QOTD
🎯 Practice matching values to compensation types using our decision tree
🎨 Use ABG visuals to link concepts to memory
🎮 Multiplayer “Diagnosis Duel” mode improves recall speed

Explore it all at kingofthecurve.org/studyscience

🧬 Before You Go…

King of the Curve helps you dominate NCLEX lab value questions with:

• 1000+ illustrations & concept visuals

• Adaptive Qbank questions targeting weak areas

• Lab Value Blitz mode

• Real-world interpretation practice

🚀 Call to Action

✅ Analyze ABGs now → kingofthecurve.org/trial-sessions
✅ Claim your free lifetime lab deck → kingofthecurve.org/free-lifetime
✅ Answer today’s QOTD → kingofthecurve.org/qotd

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