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HelpBlood Gas, Arterial (ABG), Blood*
Methodology
Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE)
Includes pH, pCO2, pO2, O2 saturation (SO2), base excess, and bicarbonate (HCO3).
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
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
Day(s) Performed
Daily
Analytical Time:
1 hour
Available STAT
Test Classification and CPT Coding
82803