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Test Code ABG Blood Gases, Arterial

Important Note

For internal ordering only. Not available to outreach clients.

Synonyms/Keywords

Art.Blood Gas, ABG, PCO2, PO2

Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No Whole Blood Balanced Heparin Syringe   1 mL 0.4 mL 140 uL in a 1 CC Syringe

Collection/Processing Instructions

Draw blood without tourniquet and fist clenching. If a tourniquet must be used, do not release it during the collection.

 

DO NOT introduce air into the syringe.

 

Syringe must be filled to usual draw volume.

 

Ice pack cooling is not required if the sample is analyzed within 30 minutes. If blood gas analysis will not be performed within 30 minutes after specimen collection, transport sample in a cold pack or prepare a container with ice water capable of maintaining refrigerated temperatures and large enough for immersion of the barrel of the capped/sealed syringe.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood Ambient 30 min
On Cold Pack 45 min

Rejection Criteria

Other anticoagulants such as EDTA, citrate, oxalate, and fluoride

Test Components

Panel includes Blood Gas (pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide pCO2, partial pressure of oxygen pO2, bicarbonate HCO3, base excess BE, O2 Saturation)

Test Information

Oxygen saturation results generated in satellite laboratories (CCU, ICU, PICU) by Respiratory Therapy staff or using I-Stat instruments are calculated from PO2. Oxygen-saturation results in the lab at Marshfield are obtained by CO-Oximetry and reported as Percent Fractional Oxyhemoglobin (FHbO2) which includes the contribution of any dys-hemoglobins (carboxy-, met-). Accordingly, when dys-hemoglobins are present, (Lab) FHbO2 results may differ significantly from O2 saturation (SO2) obtained by calulation or using pulse oximetry.

Reference Range Information

Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

pH:  
 ≤1 day: 7.29-7.45 
 ≥2 days: 7.35-7.45  

 

pCO2: 
 ≤2 years: 27 - 41 mm Hg
 ≥3 years: 35 - 45 mm Hg
 

pO2: 
 ≤1 day: 54 - 95 mm Hg
 2 days - <70 years: 80 - 105 mm Hg
 70 years - 79 years: 70 - 90 mm Hg
 80 years - 89 years: 60 - 85 mm Hg
 ≥90 years: 50 - 80 mm Hg  

 

Calculated HCO3:  
 ≤2 years: 17 - 24 mmol/L 
 ≥3 years: 22 - 28 mmol/L
 

Base Excess: 
 ≤2 years: -8.0 to 0.0 mmol/L 
 ≥3 years: -3.0 to 3.0 mmol/L
 

Oxygen Saturation: 
 All Ages: 94 - 99% 

See Critical Value List for list of current critical values

Marshfield Labs Performing Department

Marshfield Labs Urinalysis

Performing Information

 

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Beaver Dam Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 5000
Weston Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Radiometer
Eau Claire Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000
Park Falls Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000
Ladysmith Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000
Rice Lake Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000
Marshfield Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000 
Minocqua Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000
Neillsville Monday through Sunday Less than 2 hours Gem 4000

 

CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82803     Gases, blood  

Outreach CPT Codes

CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82803     Gases, blood  

Ordering Applications

Ordering Application Description
Cerner Blood Gas Arterial