An arterial blood gas procedure involves taking a sample from your body's artery. The test measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood and your blood's pH balance (a balance of acids and bases). Medical practitioners usually order this test in specific emergency cases.
What Should I Expect During an Arterial Blood Gas Test?
Human bodies often closely regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Low blood oxygen levels, a condition known as hypoxemia, can cause many serious conditions that can damage a person's organ systems, especially the heart and the brain.
For an arterial blood gas procedure, the respiratory therapist will draw a blood sample from one of your arteries beneath the wrist (radial artery). The blood drawn from the arteries tends to have higher blood oxygen levels than the blood drawn from the vein. Sometimes, they may take a sample from an artery in the arm (brachial artery).
For a newborn who requires the arterial blood collection procedure, the practitioner may draw the sample from the baby's umbilical cord or heel.
Other common names for the blood gas process include:
- ABG
- Blood gas analysis
- Blood gas test
- Arterial blood gases
The arterial blood gas analysis procedure is as follows:
- You'll either sit on a chair or lie in a medical bed.
- A respiratory therapist will locate an artery in your inner wrist. Sometimes, they might use ultrasound imaging to find the artery.
- Once the therapist locates an artery, they'll clean and sterilise it.
- The practitioner will then take a blood sample by inserting a small needle into your artery. At this point, you might feel pain as the needle gets into your arterial region.
- After the needle insertion, blood accumulates in a syringe until there's enough blood sample for testing.
- The therapist will then remove the needle and place a cotton gauze or bandage on the site to stop the bleeding. If you take blood thinners, they may apply pressure for 5 to 10 minutes or longer.
- They'll then place a bandage over the region, and the process is done.
Drawing a blood sample from an artery tends to be more painful than drawing a sample from a vein. This is because arteries are deeper in the body than veins. Nerves also surround arteries. So, as the medical provider draws blood from your artery, you might feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.
Conclusion
A respiratory therapist usually performs the arterial blood gas test procedure by taking a blood sample from the radial artery inside your wrist. The therapist then quickly prepares and sends the sample to a laboratory, where the lab scientists process it for results. As you prepare for the procedure, remember to have reliable health insurance to cover the costs of your medical procedures.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.