Sample type: Whole Blood
Test name: Blood Gases a.k.a. ABG, arterial blood gas
Condition / Indication: Acid / Base
Special precautions & notes: Expel any entrapped air bubbles and mix sample thoroughly by 5 complete inversions and rolling between the palms. Label the sample with patient details. Analyse on ward equipment without delay (see the POCT page on LINK for locations of Radiometer ABL90 Flex Plus blood gas analysers).
Reference range: Arterial whole blood analysed on Radiometer ABL90 Flex Plus blood gas analyser: pH: 7.35 – 7.45, pCO2: 4.6 – 6.4 kPa, pO2: 11.0 – 14.4 kPa, Na+: 133 – 146 mmol/L, K+: 3.5 – 5.3 mmol/L, Cl-: 95 -108 mmol/L, Ca++: 1.15 – 1.33 mmol/L, Glucose: 3.6 – 5.3 mmol/L, Lactate: 0.5 – 2.2 mmol/L (At rest), tHb: Male 130-170 g/L Female 120-150 g/L, O2Hb: 95 – 98%, COHb: <3.0% (Non-smoker), MetHb: 0 - 1.5%, HHb: 2 - 6%, sO2: 94 – 98%.
Container: Heparinised blood gas syringe
Ideal volume (mL): see notes
Referred outside NBT for analysis? No
Discipline: Clinical Biochemistry
Section: Point of Care Testing
Turnaround time: n/a