Test Code ABG Blood Gas, Arterial

Methodology

Dry Chemistry, Optical Technology

Note: This test is only available for Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) emergency room patients, inpatients, and outpatients.

Aspen Valley Hospital

Specimen must be tested within 30 minutes of draw.

Container/Tube: Heparinized syringe

Specimen: 0.5 mL arterial whole blood

Collection Instructions: If there is a delay in transport, store specimen horizontally in ice water.

Ambient

7.35-7.45

Critical values (automatic call-back): <7.25 or >7.55

pCO₂

36-39 mm Hg

Critical values (automatic call-back): <20 mm Hg or >50 mm Hg

pO₂

60-70 mm Hg

Critical value (automatic call-back): <45 mm Hg

Note: pO₂ reference range is for patients on room air at 8,000 feet altitude, the altitude at AVH.

HCO₃

22-26 mm Hg

BASE EXCESS

-2.0-+2.0 mmol/L

O₂ SATURATION

92-96%

O₂ CONTENT

15.0-23.0 volume%

Monday through Sunday

82803