Test Code VBG Blood Gas, Venous
Methodology
Dry Chemistry, Optical TechnologyNote: This test is only available for Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH) emergency room patients, inpatients, and outpatients.
Performing Laboratory
Aspen Valley HospitalSpecimen Requirements
Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of draw.
Container/Tube: Green-top (sodium heparin) tube(s)
Specimen: 0.5 mL (minimum volume: 0.09 mL) of lithium heparin arterial whole blood
Transport Temperature: Ambient
Collection Instructions: Invert 8 times to mix blood. If there is a delay in transport, store specimen horizontally in ice water.
Reference Values
pH7.31-7.41
Critical values (automatic call-back): <7.25 or >7.55
pCO2
41-51 mm Hg
Critical values (automatic call-back): <20 mm Hg or >50 mm Hg
pO2
30-40 mm Hg
Critical value (automatic call-back): <45 mm Hg
BASE EXCESS
-3.0-+3.0 mmol/L
O2 SATURATION
≥75%
O2 CONTENT
23.0-30.0 volume%