Sign in →

Test Code LAB76 Blood Gases, Arterial

Useful For

Evaluating respiratory function and acid-base balance

Methodology

Potentiometric Sensors (pCO2, pH, Ca++)

Amperometric Sensors (pO2)

Spectrophotometry (O2Hb, COHb, MetHb, sO2) 

Profile Information

Testing includes:

  • pH
  • pCO2
  • pO2
  • HCO3
  • CO2 Content
  • Base Excess
  • O2 Saturation %
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Methemoglobin
  • O2 Content

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.

 

Patient Preparation:

  1. Patient should be at rest for at least 20 minutes before blood is drawn.
  2. If patient is to be put on oxygen or taken off for test, blood cannot be drawn for at least 20 minutes.

 

Specimen Type: Arterial blood

Container/Tube: Heparinized blood gas syringe

Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Specimen Pediatric Volume:  0.25 mL

Collection Instructions:

  1. Draw arterial blood anaerobically into a heparinized blood gas syringe.
  2. Expel air bubbles, remove needle from syringe and cap.
  3. Send to the laboratory immediately.  Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.

 

Specimen Rejection:

  1. Air bubble or clotted blood
  2. Insufficient quantity
  3. Wrong anticoagulant or contamination
  4. Specimen received >30 minutes after collection

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Arterial whole blood Ambient 30 minutes

 

Reference Values

Component     Normal Range
pH     7.35-7.45
pCO2    

35-45 mmHg
pO2     80-100 mmHg
HCO3 (Bicarb)     21-28 meq/L
CO2 Content     26-31 meq/L
Base Excess     1-4 meq/L
O2 Saturation %     95%-98%
Carbon Monoxide     0.3%-2.0% THgb
  Smokers 1-2 packs/day 4.0%-5.0% THgb
    >2 packs/day 8.0%-9.0% THgb
  Toxic   >20% THgb
  Lethal   >50% THgb
Methemoglobin     0.0%-1.5% THgb
O2 Content     15.0-23.0 mmol/L

Critical value (automatic call-back):

pH: <7.20, >7.60

Carbon Monoxide: >15.0%

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

36600-Arterial puncture

82803-Blood gases, any combination of pH, pCO2, pO2, CO2, HCO3 (including measured oxygen saturation)