ABG Tic-Tac-Toe

Values:
pH (acid):
< 7.35
pH (normal): 7.35 7.45
pH (base):
> 7.45

PaCO2 (acid):
PaCO2 (normal):
PaCO2 (base):

> 45
35 45
< 35

ABG values: pH______________ PaCO2__________________

Acid/Normal/Base: pH_________ PaCO2__________________

HCO3 (acid):
HCO3 (normal):
HCO3 (base):

< 22
22 26
> 26

HCO3_____________________
HCO3_____________________

Now plug in your values:

Acid

Normal

Base (Alkaline)

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS:
Respiratory acidosis uncompensated:
Respiratory acidosis partially compensated:
Respiratory acidosis totally compensated:

pH acid ()
pH acid ()
pH normal

PaCO2 acid ()
PaCO2 acid ()
PaCO2 acid ()

HCO3 normal
HCO3 base ()
HCO3 base ()

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS:
Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated:
Respiratory alkalosis partially compensated:
Respiratory alkalosis totally compensated:

pH base ()
pH base ()
pH normal

PaCO2 base ()
PaCO2 base ()
PaCO2 base ()

HCO3 normal
HCO3 acid ()
HCO3 acid ()

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS:
Metabolic acidosis uncompensated:
Metabolic acidosis partially compensated:
Metabolic acidosis totally compensated:

pH acid ()
pH acid ()
pH normal

PaCO2 normal
PaCO2 base ()
PaCO2 base ()

HCO3 acid ()
HCO3 acid ()
HCO3 acid ()

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS:
Metabolic alkalosis uncompensated:
Metabolic alkalosis partially compensated:
Metabolic alkalosis totally compensated:

pH base ()
pH base ()
pH normal

PaCO2 normal
PaCO2 acid ()
PaCO2 acid ()

HCO3 base ()
HCO3 base ()
HCO3 base ()

Interpretation:
Uncompensated: pH and one other value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) are abnormal. Abnormal pH determines whether acidosis or
alkalosis. Abnormal PaCO2 or HCO3 determines whether respiratory or metabolic.
PaCO2 abnormal = respiratory; HCO3 abnormal = metabolic.
Partial compensation: all values are abnormal. Two values agree (pH and either PaCO2 or HCO3 are BOTH acid or BOTH base),
and the remaining value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) is the OPPOSITE of the pH. The value (PaCO2 or HCO3) that agrees with the pH
is correct (determines whether respiratory or metabolic).
Compensation: pH is normal, both PaCO2 and HCO3 are abnormal. One will be acidotic, the other base. The value that most closely
matches the pH identifies the true (underlying) state. If the fully compensated pH is between 7.35-7.40, then the normal pH is closer to

the acid end and the acidotic value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) is correct. If the pH is between 7.40-7.45, then the normal pH is closer to
the alkalotic end and the base value (either PaCO2 or HCO3) is correct.

Acid-Base Interpretation

Table Values
Acid

Respiratory acidosis uncompensated

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Respiratory alkalosis totally compensated

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Metabolic acidosis uncompensated

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Metabolic acidosis partially compensated

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Metabolic acidosis totally compensated

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Metabolic alkalosis uncompensated

X
Acid

X
Base

X
Normal

Base

Normal

Base

X
X
X
Acid

Normal

Base

X
X
X
Acid

Normal

Base

X
X
X
Acid

Normal

Base

X
X
X
Acid

Normal

Base
X

X
Acid

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Normal

X
X

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Metabolic alkalosis partially compensated

X
Base

X
X
Acid

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Normal
X

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Respiratory alkalosis partially compensated

Base

X
Acid

Respiratory alkalosis uncompensated

X
Normal

X
X
Acid

Respiratory acidosis totally compensated

Base

X
X
Acid

Respiratory acidosis partially compensated

Normal

Normal

X
Base
X

X
X

Acid

Metabolic alkalosis totally compensated

pH
PaCO2
HCO3

Normal

Base

X
X
X