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Test Code ABG ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS

Important Note

  1. Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.
  2. Place on wet ice immediately

Methodology

Includes pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3, total CO2, base excess (BE), and O2 saturation.

Useful for assessing acid-base balance and pulmonary oxygen-gas exchange.

Specimen Requirements

This test is routinely collected by a Respiratory Therapist

**Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.

 

Container/Tube: Heparinized blood gas syringe

Specimen Volume: 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.2 mL) of arterial blood
Collection Instructions:

  1. Draw arterial blood anaerobically into a heparinized blood gas syringe.
  2. Expel air bubbles and place on wet ice immediately. (Air bubble or clotted blood is not acceptable.)
  3. Specimen must be analyzed with 1 hour of draw.
  4. Include patient temperature and supplemental oxygen rate and mode.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Reference Values

pH

7.350-7.450

Critical values (automatic call-back): <7.2 or >7.6

 

pO2

<3 months: 60-70 mm Hg

3 months-65 years: 80-100 mm Hg

>65 years: 75-85 mm Hg

Critical value (automatic call-back): <40 mm Hg

 

pCO2

35-45 mm Hg

Critical values (automatic call-back): <20 mm Hg or >70 mm Hg

 

HCO3

22.0-26.0 mmol/L

TOTAL CO2

23.0-27.0 mmol/L

 

BE

±2.0

O2 SATURATION

96%-97%

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center-Chemistry

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82803

Specimen Transport Temperature

On wet ice