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ABG practice: blood gas cases
Reading an arterial blood gas comes down to three questions in order: is the pH acidic or alkaline, is the cause respiratory (CO₂) or metabolic (bicarbonate), and is the body compensating?
Blood gas detective, part of Kidney Quest, walks you through short patient cases one step at a time. Each answer builds up the case file, and the case closes with a one-line takeaway.
A taste of what's inside
| Key idea | What to know |
|---|---|
| Normal blood pH | Kept between 7.35 and 7.45 |
| Bicarbonate buffer system | CO₂ and HCO₃⁻ mop up acid and base |
Ways to practise
- Study notes · Read the key ideas first: everything the games ask is in here.
- Explore the kidney · Anatomy, nephron, urine, hormones, fluids and pH, one card each.
- What does this? · Read the job, pick the part or process.
- Hormone check · ADH, aldosterone, ANP, renin and EPO: what does each do?
- Which group? · Anatomy, nephron, process, hormone, fluids or pH?
- Follow the flow · Filtrate through the nephron, urine out of the body, RAAS and ADH.
- Match Pairs · Pair each part with its job.
- Case Files · Blood gases, dehydration, stones and infections.
- Blood gas detective · Read pH, PaCO₂ and HCO₃⁻: name the acid–base problem.
How to study with it
- Read the Study notes section on acid–base balance.
- Open Blood gas detective and work through the cases step by step.
- Then try the general Case Files for kidney and fluid problems.
Questions
What is the normal blood pH range?
7.35 to 7.45. Below 7.35 is acidosis; above 7.45 is alkalosis.
Is it free?
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Do I need an account?
No. There is no login. Your scores, streaks and certificates are saved on your device.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. It works in any modern browser on phones, tablets, Chromebooks and computers.
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