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HelpBlood Gas, Arterial (ABG), Blood*
Performing Laboratory
Rutland Regional Medical Center Laboratory
Specimen Requirements
Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.
Specimen Type: Whole blood-Clotted blood is not acceptable.
Container/Tube: Heparinized blood gas syringe
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw arterial blood anaerobically.
2. Expel air bubbles, remove needle from syringe and cap-Air bubble is not acceptable.
3. Immediately place syringe on wet ice.
Specimen Type: Whole blood-Clotted blood is not acceptable.
Container/Tube: Dark-green (lithium heparin) Vacutainer
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw arterial blood anaerobically.
2. Expel air bubbles and cap-Air bubble is not acceptable.
3. Immediately place tube on wet ice.
Specimen Transport Temperature
On wet ice
Day(s) Performed
Daily
Analytical Time:
1 hour
Available STAT
Test Classification and CPT Coding
82803
Methodology
Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE)
Includes pH, pCO2, pO2, O2 saturation (SO2), base excess, and bicarbonate (HCO3).
Reference Values
pH
7.38-7.46
Critical values (automatic call-back): <7.2 or >7.6
pCO2
32-46 mm Hg
Critical values (automatic call-back): <20 mm Hg or >70 mm Hg
pO2
74-108 mm Hg
Critical value (automatic call-back): <50 mm Hg
SO2 %
92%-96% saturation
BASE EXCESS
-2.0 - +2.0 mmol/L
HCO3
24-32 mEq/L
Critical value (automatic call-back): <15 mEq/L