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Test Code 109475 Blood Gas (Arterial)

Important Note

Specimens must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.

Specimens may not have clots or air bubbles.

Test Includes: pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3, SO2, Base Excess

Purpose

To measure oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH in order to asses the patient's respiratory health. 

 

Performing Laboratory

Copley Hospital

 

Methodology

Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE)

 

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Container/Tube: Heparinized Blood Gas Syringe, Dark-Green Tube, Pediatric-Green Tube

Specimen Volume: Full Tube

Specimen Minimum Volume: 2 mL
 

Collection Instructions:

1. Draw arterial blood anaerobically.

2. Label specimen with patient’s full name, date of birth,

    date & time of collection, and person collecting. 

3. Syringe must be free of clots and air bubbles.

4.  Remove needle, cap the syringe, and transport sample

     immediately, on wet ice. 

 

Reference Values

Normal pH: 7.35 - 7.45                                Critical pH: < 7.2 or > 7.6

Normal pCO2: 35 - 45 mm/Hg                    Critical pCO2: < 20 or > 70 mm/Hg

Normal pO2: 80 - 105 mm/Hg                    Critical pO2: < 50 mm/Hg

Normal HCO3: 22 - 26 mmol/L                   Critical HCO3: < 15 mmol/L

Normal TCO2: 23 - 27 mmol/L                     

Base Excess: - 2.0 ~ + 3.0 mmol/L

 

Stability

Refrigerated: 30 Minutes

 

Day(s) Performed

Daily

Available STAT

Analytical Time: 1 Hour

 

Aliases

Arterial Blood Gas

Blood Gas

ABG

 

Test Classification & CPT Coding

82803