Blood Gas Interpreter
Enter a blood gas to identify the primary acid–base disorder, whether it is compensated, and the type and adequacy of compensation — with anion gap and the caveats specific to arterial, capillary, and venous samples.
Sample type
Arterial — the reference standard for pH, PCO₂, and oxygenation.
Henderson–Hasselbalch: HCO₃ = 0.03 × PCO₂ × 10^(pH − 6.1).
Winter's formula (expected PCO₂ in metabolic acidosis) = 1.5 × HCO₃ + 8 ± 2.
Compensation rules are estimates; correlate with the clinical scenario and trends.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a respiratory from a metabolic problem?
Compare the pH direction with the pCO₂ and HCO₃. Winters' formula checks whether respiratory compensation for a metabolic acidosis is adequate.
Can I use a capillary or venous gas?
Capillary and venous gases approximate pH and pCO₂ but not oxygenation; an arterial sample is needed for an accurate pO₂.
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