BLOOD GAS ANALYSIS, arterial (087-5101)
Synonyms: ABG, Arterial Blood Gases, Gases
CPT 4Code: 82803
Order Test Mnemonic: AC ABG
Test Includes: pH, pCO2, pO2,
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Lab: High Volume Lab Rm 5.134 McCullough, ISCU,
SICU, MICU, PICU, OR, TDC4A-ICU, ER Lab
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, Point-of-Care – 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,
type of sample (arterial, venous, or capillary) , 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: Arterial 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: 7.35-7.45; pCO2:
35-45 mmHg; pO2: 80-100 mmHg; Bicarbonate (HCO3-): 22-26
meq/L
Critical Values: pH: <7.20 or
> 7.60
Critical Values: pO2: <40
mm Hg
Significant Values:
pCO2: <25 or >60 mm Hg
