Through three educational videos, youll experience why blood gas analysis is important in three critical patient cases covering copd. Interpreting and using the arterial blood gas analysis. An introduction to blood gas analysis 18 march, 2003 blood gas analysis is a procedure that is associated with high dependency, intensive care and respiratory units, but equipment used to carry out blood gas analysis is now commonplace on hospital wards and in some community services. Typically, patients with acute pe present with hypocapnia and respiratory alkalosis. A blood gas test is also called an arterial blood gas test or a blood gas analysis. This indispensable tool helps you assess and monitor critically ill patients in the icu or other critical care settings. Arterial blood gas analysis is a common investigation in emergency departments and intensive care units for monitoring patients with acute respiratory failure. As you struggle to listen to the machine company representative talking about cleaning the machine. Body will not overcompensate when it comes to acidbase balance so.
An introduction to blood gas analysis nursing times. Blood gas analysis provides information on a critically ill patients respiratory and metabolic status via measurement of ph, carbon dioxide pco 2 and oxygen po 2 together with other vital information such as electrolytes, lactate and hemoglobin. However, the femoral artery and brachial artery can be used if necessary. Arterial blood gas case questions and answers in the space that follows you will find a series of cases that include arterial blood gases. It may also be used to determine the ph of the blood, or how acidic it is.
List the types of samples that can be analyzed for blood gas and analyte concentrations. In this guide, we will teach you the eight 8 steps on how to interpret and analyze arterial blood gas abg results using the tictactoe method. Arterial blood gas analysis is an essential part of diagnosing and managing a patients oxygenation status and acidbase balance. Blood is drawn anaerobically from a peripheral artery radial, brachial, femoral, or dorsalis pedis via a single percutaneous needle puncture, or from an indwelling arterial cannula or catheter for multiple samples. Oxygen content of blood is affected by level and affinity state of hemoglobin example is co poisoning. This tictactoe technique involves a few charts to help you visualize abgs. Aarc clinical practice guideline blood gas analysis and hemoximetry 20 michael d davis rrt, brian k walsh rrtnps rpft faarc, steven e sittig rrtnps npt faarc, and ruben d restrepo md rrt faarc mdd adult health and nursing system, virginia commonwealth university, richmond, va. The interpretation of arterial blood gases australian.
Aarc clinical practice guideline blood gas analysis and. Introduction interpreting the analysis of an arterial blood sample to determine a patients acidbase status and respiratory gas exchange is a key component in the management of any ill patient. Blood gases for beginners lynsey ward 4th february 2008february 2008. A blood gas test measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. To adequately use this information, one must have a basic understanding of gas transportation and acidbase physiology. Blood gas analysis debbie fraser, mn, rncnic b lood gas analysis is one of the major tools in assessing the respiratory status of the newborn. Therefore, the 6 easy steps to abg analysis was developed to provide nurses with an accurate and systematic method of easily interpreting arterial blood gases. The 6 easy steps to abg analysis are listed below for easy reference and will be explained in more detail in the sections that follow.
However, the more complicated and in some ways more important part of abg analysis is ph regulation. When one thinks of abg analysis, oxygenation may come to mind first. Patients are often required to be checked for arterial blood gas analysis to find what exactly is happening in the body of patients system. Arterial blood gas analysis article based on original by the resuscitation council u. Blood gas evaluation link to condensed version evaluation of ab status interpretation of blood gases whenwhy do a blood gas. Blood gases can also be used to detect an acidbase imbalance, which can occur in kidney failure, heart failure, uncontrolled diabetes, severe infections, and drug overdose. Overview abg sampling interpretation of abg gas exchange acid base status 3. Each case is then followed by an explanation of the acidbase status, the oxygenation status and a summary of the patients clinical picture. Bull, in clinical respiratory medicine fourth edition, 2012. Your doctor may run a blood gas analysis or arterial blood gas abg test if you are showing the signs of an oxygen, carbon dioxide, or ph imbalance such as confusion or difficulty breathing. Blood can be drawn via an arterial stick from the wrist, groin, or above the elbow. Arterial blood gas analysis cannot accurately be used as a diagnostic tool to discriminate between patients with and without pe.
Arterial blood gas analysis an overview sciencedirect. Severe illness with multiple problems, andor clinical problems identified or. Arterial, venous, or capillary blood gas analysis is an important diagnostic tool for a variety of critical care conditions. Arterial blood gases you are a new staff member working in the emergency department ed during your induction you are introduced to the practical workings of the point of care arterial blood gas abg machine in the ed. Blood gases may also be used to monitor treatment for lung diseases and to evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen therapy. Idexx vetstat operators guide introduction a1 introduction the vetstat analyzer is an electrolyte and blood gas analyzer for veterinary use. An arterial blood gas abg analysis can tell you about a patients oxygenation, acidbase balance, pulmonary function, and metabolic status. Abg quick interpretation parameter acidosis normal alkalosis reflects ph 7. Blood gas analysers will measure the partial pressure of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ph of the blood and, in addition, will calculate the blood bicarbonate concentration and the base excess. This information indicates a patients acidbase balance, the effectiveness of their.
Blood gas and critical care analyte analysis chapter objectives 1. In context of oral and maxillofacial surgery, arterial blood gas analysis plays a vital role in monitoring of postoperative patients, patients receiving oxygen therapy, those on. Applications of abg o to document respiratory failure and assess its severity o to monitor patients on ventilators and assist in weaning o to assess acid base. The investigation is relatively easy to perform and yields information that can guide the management of acute and chronic illnesses.
The usefulness of this diagnostic tool is dependent on being able to correctly interpret the results. Explain the types of errors that can occur with blood gas analysis. This portable analyzer provides fast, accurate results via singleuse disposable cassettes using samples. Blood gas analyzer an overview sciencedirect topics. Results show blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, ph levels, and lung function. Given that this can be difficult, there is a need for a simple algorithm for systematically handling each of the numbers in turn, as discussed below. Unlike other blood tests, which are either high or low, abgs present the doctor with six numbers that need to be interpreted as one result. A primer of point of are lood gas testing for laboratorians.
The radial artery on the wrist is most commonly used to obtain the sample. This is particularly important if your patient is known to have chronic respiratory disease with existing chronic abg changes. Arterial blood gas analysis dr abdullah pg 2 medicine amu aligarh 2. Interpreting an arterial blood gas abg is a crucial skill for physicians, nurses. Healthcare providers have the option to select blood gas analyzers that offer combination of analytes and test menus to meet their clinical needs. Arterial blood gas analysis is an important routine investigation to monitor the acidbase balance of patients, effectiveness of gas exchange, and the state of their voluntary respiratory control. The body normally extracts 25% of available oxygen and leaves 75% in reserve in times of stress or illness. Arterial blood gas analysis is used to measure the ph and the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood. Interpretation of arterial blood gases abgs david a. It is also useful to have access to any previous gases. Details about i ph ii oxygenation, oxygen saturation, oxygen content, alveolar gas equation, indices of.