1|Page
Acid-Base Imbalances: High-Yield Nursing Diagrams
& Table Pack.
Table of Contents
1. Core Concepts at a Glance
oTable 1.1: Normal ABG Values & Quick Interpretation
Guide
o Diagram 1.1: The pH Scale and Clinical Ranges
2. The "ROME" Mnemonic for ABG Interpretation
oTable 2.1: ROME: Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal
o Diagram 2.1: Visual Guide to ROME
3. The "Tic-Tac-Toe" Method for ABG Analysis
Diagram 3.1: The Tic-Tac-Toe Board Setup
o
o Table 3.1: Step-by-Step Tic-Tac-Toe Interpretation Guide
4. Primary Acid-Base Imbalances: The Big Four
Table 4.1: Comparison of Respiratory Acidosis, Respiratory
o
Alkalosis, Metabolic Acidosis, Metabolic Alkalosis
o Diagram 4.1: Pathophysiology Flowcharts for Each
Imbalance
5. Mastering Compensation
o Table 5.1: Uncompensated vs. Partially Compensated vs.
Fully Compensated
o Diagram 5.1: Visualizing Compensation on the Tic-Tac-Toe
Board
,2|Page
6. Causes & Risk Factors
oTable 6.1: Common Causes of Each Acid-Base Imbalance
o Diagram 6.1: Body System Map of Causes
7. Signs, Symptoms, & Assessment Findings
oTable 7.1: Systemic Effects of Acidosis vs. Alkalosis
o Diagram 7.1: The "Acid = Low & Slow" vs. "Alkali =
Excited & Twitchy" Concept
8. Electrolyte Connections
oTable 8.1: Potassium & Calcium Imbalances Associated with
Acid-Base Disorders
9. Nursing Interventions at a Glance
o Table 9.1: Priority Nursing Care for Each Imbalance
1. Core Concepts at a Glance
Table 1.1: Normal ABG Values & Quick Interpretation Guide
ABG Normal Primary
What It Represents
Component Range Regulator
Hydrogen ion (H+)
7.35 - Buffer systems
pH concentration
7.45 (immediate)
(acidity/alkalinity)
Partial pressure of
35 - 45 Lungs (fast
PaCO₂ Carbon Dioxide
mm Hg regulator)
(Volatile Acid)
, 3|Page
ABG Normal Primary
What It Represents
Component Range Regulator
22 - 26 Kidneys (slow
HCO₃⁻ Bicarbonate (Base)
mEq/L regulator)
80 - 100 Partial pressure of
PaO₂ Lungs
mm Hg Oxygen
Quick Interpretation Rule:
• pH < 7.35 = Acidosis
• pH > 7.45 = Alkalosis
Diagram 1.1: The pH Scale and Clinical Ranges
text
ACIDOSIS <--------|--------> ALKALOSIS
< 7.35 | > 7.45
|
[Death]----[Severe]----|----[Severe]----[Death]
6.8 7.0 7.4 7.7 7.8
|
[NORMAL]
7.35 - 7.45
2. The "ROME" Mnemonic for ABG Interpretation
Acid-Base Imbalances: High-Yield Nursing Diagrams
& Table Pack.
Table of Contents
1. Core Concepts at a Glance
oTable 1.1: Normal ABG Values & Quick Interpretation
Guide
o Diagram 1.1: The pH Scale and Clinical Ranges
2. The "ROME" Mnemonic for ABG Interpretation
oTable 2.1: ROME: Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal
o Diagram 2.1: Visual Guide to ROME
3. The "Tic-Tac-Toe" Method for ABG Analysis
Diagram 3.1: The Tic-Tac-Toe Board Setup
o
o Table 3.1: Step-by-Step Tic-Tac-Toe Interpretation Guide
4. Primary Acid-Base Imbalances: The Big Four
Table 4.1: Comparison of Respiratory Acidosis, Respiratory
o
Alkalosis, Metabolic Acidosis, Metabolic Alkalosis
o Diagram 4.1: Pathophysiology Flowcharts for Each
Imbalance
5. Mastering Compensation
o Table 5.1: Uncompensated vs. Partially Compensated vs.
Fully Compensated
o Diagram 5.1: Visualizing Compensation on the Tic-Tac-Toe
Board
,2|Page
6. Causes & Risk Factors
oTable 6.1: Common Causes of Each Acid-Base Imbalance
o Diagram 6.1: Body System Map of Causes
7. Signs, Symptoms, & Assessment Findings
oTable 7.1: Systemic Effects of Acidosis vs. Alkalosis
o Diagram 7.1: The "Acid = Low & Slow" vs. "Alkali =
Excited & Twitchy" Concept
8. Electrolyte Connections
oTable 8.1: Potassium & Calcium Imbalances Associated with
Acid-Base Disorders
9. Nursing Interventions at a Glance
o Table 9.1: Priority Nursing Care for Each Imbalance
1. Core Concepts at a Glance
Table 1.1: Normal ABG Values & Quick Interpretation Guide
ABG Normal Primary
What It Represents
Component Range Regulator
Hydrogen ion (H+)
7.35 - Buffer systems
pH concentration
7.45 (immediate)
(acidity/alkalinity)
Partial pressure of
35 - 45 Lungs (fast
PaCO₂ Carbon Dioxide
mm Hg regulator)
(Volatile Acid)
, 3|Page
ABG Normal Primary
What It Represents
Component Range Regulator
22 - 26 Kidneys (slow
HCO₃⁻ Bicarbonate (Base)
mEq/L regulator)
80 - 100 Partial pressure of
PaO₂ Lungs
mm Hg Oxygen
Quick Interpretation Rule:
• pH < 7.35 = Acidosis
• pH > 7.45 = Alkalosis
Diagram 1.1: The pH Scale and Clinical Ranges
text
ACIDOSIS <--------|--------> ALKALOSIS
< 7.35 | > 7.45
|
[Death]----[Severe]----|----[Severe]----[Death]
6.8 7.0 7.4 7.7 7.8
|
[NORMAL]
7.35 - 7.45
2. The "ROME" Mnemonic for ABG Interpretation
