BLOOD GAS ANALYSIS, venous (087- 5101)

Synonyms: VBG, Venous Blood Gases

CPT 4 Code: 82803

Test Order Mnemonic: AC VBG

Test Includes: pH, pCO₂, pO₂, Bicarbonate (HCO₃^-)

Lab: High Volume Lab Rm 5.134 McCullough, Point-of-Care – ISCU, SICU, MICU, PICU, OR, TDC4A-ICU, ER

Request Form: Chemistry 3 - Blood Gases

Collection: Care should be taken to avoid drawing air into the syringe. Bubbles should be removed from the sample immediately.

Storage Instructions: 2-8° C; transport, on ice, immediately (within 15 minutes) to lab.

Causes for Rejection: Clotted, inappropriate container, anticoagulant other than sodium or lithium heparin, blood leaking from syringe into ice, large air space or bubbles in syringe. Syringes with needles attached.

Availability: Samples are accepted 24 hours a day at the High Volume Lab Rm 5.134 McCullough, ER Lab, ISCU, SICU, MICU, PICU, OR, TDC4A-ICU

Turnaround Time: 10 minutes (5 minutes CODE)

Special Instructions: Blood must be drawn anaerobically. Requisition must indicate requesting physician, Diagnosis Code, time drawn, FiO₂ and ventillary support type, and patient temperature. Deliver to lab immediately (within 15 minutes) after collection. Indicate on slip and announce to lab personnel if sample is a CODE; sample will receive priority analysis.

Specimen: Venous blood

Volume: 3 mL blood

Minimum Volume: 1 mL blood (for neonates, see also Blood Gases, capillary)

Container: Blood should be drawn into gas-tight glass or plastic syringes using 1000-unit sodium or lithium heparin. Other anticoagulants are not acceptable.

Reference Ranges: pH: 7.32-7.42; pCO₂: 41-51 mmHg; pO₂: 25-40 mmHg; Bicarbonate (HCO₃): 24-25 meq/L

Critical Values: pH: <7.20 or >7.60; pCO₂: <25 or >60

Revised April 2007 by P. Harris