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Understanding Arterial Blood Gases

Understanding Arterial Blood Gases

by | Apr 5, 2019 | Post-Conference, Uncategorized

Arterial Blood Gases

 

Introduction:

Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) provide a wealth of information for the differential diagnosis of many respiratory and metabolic diseases, but how can nurses use this information as part of the physical assessment and reporting of key events? Changes in oxygenation and acid-base balance are key to understanding the acuity and progression of illnesses such as respiratory failure, sepsis, liver and renal failure, burns and other acute and chronic conditions. Keep in mind there are also complex and mixed presentation acid-base conditions. Although being book-smart is helpful, developing an intuition, gut-feeling or a clinical picture is key to responding quickly when faced with emergent patient changes.

Associated Diseases and Presentations:

Respiratory Acidosis-Hypoventilation
• COPD/Asthma
• CNS Depression
• Malignant Hyperthermia

Respiratory Alkalosis-Hyperventilation
• CVA, Brain Trauma, Brain Tumor, CNS Infection
• Pulmonary Embolus
• Pregnancy, Liver Disease, Sepsis, Hyperthyroidism

Metabolic Acidosis
• Methanol Intoxication, Ethanol Or Ethylene Glycol Intoxication
• Salicylate Intoxication
• Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Metabolic Alkalosis
• GI Or Renal Loss Of H+
• Heart Failure, Cirrhosis, Nephrotic Syndrome
• Severe Hypokalemia

Conclusion:

Consider what ABG results might be associated with various diseases and how changes in ventilation, metabolic status or fluids might change the patient presentation. Further study into acute versus chronic, compensated versus uncompensated, and anion gaps will provide more challenging detail to discuss with students in critical care rotations.

 

Download your FREE ABG Post Conference Lesson Plan Today!

Download your FREE Critical

Thinking Post Conference

Activity Today!

Complete with ABG Case Study examples, critical care clinical activity to help your students understand and compare their patient’s ABG results, and ABG reference guidelines on pocket card. 

References

1https://www.thoracic.org/professionals/clinical-resources/critical-care/clinical-education/abgs.php
2.https://patient.info/doctor/arterial-blood-gases-indications-and-interpretation#nav-4
3https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003855.htm
4https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301574-overview

The Truth about Empathy

The Truth about Empathy

by | Apr 4, 2019 | Post-Conference, Uncategorized

The Truth about Empathy

“Empathy is the most powerful connecting and trust building tool we have.”
Brene’ Brown

Empathy is not about connecting or understanding a patient’s experience. Empathy is about understanding the feelings or emotions that underpin the experience.

And isn’t that a relief? Empathy is feeling with our patients. We don’t have to experience cancer, trauma, or congestive heart failure to understand fear, anxiety, and vulnerability. Empathy is about connecting to the feelings and emotions that go along with those experiences. We don’t have to give birth to understand joy or walk down the hall with our rear end hanging out to understand embarrassment. And who of us does not understand what it feels like to be judged?

Teaching
If empathy is a skill, then we can teach it.

It’s valuable for students to understand empathy looks different for each of us. Ask them what it looks like for them.

During post conference ask them to answer the following questions. Check out the post conference handout: Empathy Handout

  1. When I share something private and personal, and I feel “seen” or understood, I feel:
  2. When I share something private and personal and I don’t think anyone understands me, I feel:
  3. When I share something private and personal, I prefer you:
        Make eye contact.
        Hug or touch me.
        Nod your head.
        Ask more questions.
        Listen quietly.
        Respond to me.
        Look away.
  4. When someone shares something private or painful with me:
        I worry I will say something dumb.
        I try to think of something really comforting to say.
        I want to solve the problem.
        I become very nervous.
        My heart begins to pound.
        I start to sweat.
        I just prefer not to know and wish they hadn’t shared with me.
        I am afraid I won’t feel anything.

Post Conference Materials

Reference & Recommended Reading