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Test Code ABG Blood Gas, Arterial (ABG), Whole Blood

Additional Codes

  • Expanse Test Name: ABG
  • Medinet Ref Code:
  • OV Code:BG*ABG

Performing Laboratory

St. Lukes Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Co-Oximetry/Potentiometric/Amperometric

Includes pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3, base excess, hemoglobin, O2 saturation, carboxyhemoglobin, and methemoglobin.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.

 

Draw arterial blood anaerobically in a heparinized blood gas syringe or a heparinized capillary tube, and send 1 mL of heparinized, arterial, whole blood. Expel air bubbles, remove needle from syringe and cap, and forward promptly. (Air bubble or clotted blood is not acceptable.)

Reference Values

pH

7.35-7.45

Critical values (automatic call-back):  <7.20 or >7.60

pCO2

35-45 mm Hg

Critical values (automatic call-back):  <20 mm Hg or >65 mm Hg

pO2

75-100 mm Hg

Critical value (automatic call-back):  <40 mm Hg

HCO3 (BICARBONATE)

20-26 mEq/L

BASE EXCESS

±2 mEq/L

O2 SATURATION %

94-97% saturation

CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN

0-1.5% saturation

METHEMOGLOBIN

0-2.0% saturation

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82805