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Essay on Arterial Blood Gas

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Arterial Blood Gas

Indications: An ABG is ordered as a way to assess or manage a patient’s respiratory and metabolic acid/base balance. The test assesses the pH of a patient’s blood and is used as an indicator for the particular cause of the acidosis or alkalosis.

An ABG is also used to measure adequacy of treatment for an acid/base balance.

An ABG can also be used in the measurement of adequacy of oxygenation.

Type of Test and testing procedure:

An ABG is usually acquired through withdrawal of arterial blood. Babies can be tested using whole blood through capillary heel sticks. An ABG is usually collected from the radial artery. Before an ABG can be preformed, a circulation …show more content…

This is why the Allen test is so important in all patients. Also, during the administration of the test, the needle can puncture nearby anatomical areas, such as nerves or ligaments. This is why only specially trained individuals may administer the test. Because the test is drawn arterially, the risk of bleeding is much higher. Pressure must be held for much longer than a venous blood draw. Also, the ABG is more painful than a venous blood draw; lidocaine may be administered before-hand to decrease pain.

Average Cost of Test:

According to the ORMC respiratory therapy department, an ABG costs approximately $235.

Length of Time required for obtaining Results:

After the blood reaches the blood gas analyzer, the results can be obtained in minutes

Normal Lab Values:

Various ABG’s detect different values. These are the main values used to detect acid/base imbalance. Most of these will be used to discuss various imbalances and their causation.

pH- 7.35-7.45

HCO3- 22-26

PaO2- 70-100mmHg

PaCO2- 35-45mmHg

Base excess- -2/+2

SaO2- 95-100%

How to Interpret Results:

pH- measures the amount of hydrogen ions in the blood, which indicates the acid / base balance in the blood. When the pH increases, the body is alkaline. When the pH decreases, the body is more acidic.

HCO3- the amount of bicarb in the blood, this indicates the amount

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