Sign in →

Test Code ABG Arterial Blood Gas

Performing Laboratory

Memorial Hospital Laboratory- Automated Procedures  304-388-5953       
General Hospital Laboratory 304-388-6244
Women and Children's Hospital Laboratory 304-388-2385
Teays Valley Hospital Laboratory 304-757-1770
Women and Children Respiratory Laboratory 304-388-2355
Plateau Medical Center Laboratory 304-469-8621

Specimen Requirements

Whole Blood-Lithium Heparin Syringe

2 mL of whole blood (1 mL minimum)

Collect anaerobically at room temperature

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Clotted specimen
  • Venous specimens
  • Air bubbles in the syringe
  • Excessive heparin in specimen 

Storage and Stability

Room Temperature Analyze within 30 minutes
Ice Slurry > 30 minutes- 2 hours

Reference Values

  Male Female
pH 7.35-7.45 7.35-7.45
PCO2 (mmHg) 35-48 32-45
PO2 (mmHg) 83-108 83-108
HCO3 Undefined Undefined
Base Excess Undefined Undefined
O2 Sat (%) 95-97 95-97
Total CO2 (mmol/L) 21-32 21-32

Alert Values

pH < 7.20 or > 7.60
pCO2 (mmHg) < 20 or > 70
PO2 (mmHg) < 50
Total CO2 (mmol/L) < 10 or > 45

Methodology

Electrode Specific

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Sunday, Continuously

Stat       Expected within 1 hr            

CPT Coding

82803