Blood Gases, arterial
Clinical Background:
Arterial blood gas testing is done to evaluate lung function by measuring blood pH, oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2); to monitor treatment for lung diseases; to detect an acid-base imbalance in...
Arterial blood gas testing is done to evaluate lung function by measuring blood pH, oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2); to monitor treatment for lung diseases; to detect an acid-base imbalance in your blood, which may indicate a respiratory, metabolic, or kidney disorder; to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygen therapy. They are used to detect an acid-base imbalance, such as can occur with kidney failure, heart failure, uncontrolled diabetes, severe infections, and drug overdose. An arterial blood sample is usually collected from the radial artery in the wrist, located on the inside of the wrist, below the thumb, where the pulse can be felt.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Lithium heparin syringues
Lithium heparin syringues
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Lithium heparin syringues
Lithium heparin syringues
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL blood
1 mL blood
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
Full capillary
Full capillary
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Special Requirement:
Samples should not contain air bubbles
Samples should not contain air bubbles
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Sample Stability:
30 minutes
30 minutes
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Transport Requirements:
Do not send through the air tube system.
Do not send through the air tube system.
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Reference Ranges:
pH
0-28d: 7.18 - 7.51
1-5 m: 7.18 - 7.50
6-11 m: 7.27 - 7.40
12 m+: 7.35 - 7.42
pCO2 (k...
Read MorepH
0-28d: 7.18 - 7.51
1-5 m: 7.18 - 7.50
6-11 m: 7.27 - 7.40
12 m+: 7.35 - 7.42
pCO2 (kPa)
0 - 2y: 3.5 - 5.5
3y+: As adult
Adult: 4.5 - 6.1
Base Excess (mmol/L)
0 - 4w: -10 to -2
5w - 2y: -7 to +0.2
3y+: As adult
Adult: -3 to +3
Standard bicarbonate (mmol/L)
0 - 2y: 20 - 26
3y+: As adult
Adult: 21 - 25
Actual bicarbonate (mmol/L)
0 - 2y: 16 - 24
3y+: As adult
Adult: 21 - 25
pO2 (kPa)
Adult: 11.0 - 14.4
Oxygen saturation (%)
Newborn: 85 - 90
Thereafter: As adult
Adult: 96 - 97
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Other Info:
Non-glass capillary tube coated with lyophilised lithium heparin or electrolyte-balanced heparin samples also acceptable
Non-glass capillary tube coated with lyophilised lithium heparin or electrolyte-balanced heparin samples also acceptable
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
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Routine Email: