What do abgs mean

Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Partial pressure of oxygen, or PaO2.

This measurement shows the pressure of oxygen in your blood. Healthy adults will generally have a resting Pa02 greater than 80 millimeters of mercury mmHg. Acid-base balance pH. When carbon dioxide builds up in your blood, it dissolves and creates an acid. If your blood acid level is out of balance, it can mean your body isn't able to get rid carbon dioxide efficiently. This may happen because your lungs aren't working well or your kidneys can't get rid of the acid.

A normal result is between 7. The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. How far you live above sea level can affect your results. Your blood oxygen goes down as your elevation goes up.

Smoking, inhaling secondhand smoke, having a fever, or breathing quickly can also affect the test results. You don't need to do anything to prepare for the test. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.

Search Encyclopedia. Why do I need this test? Here are some of the more common reasons an ABG is ordered: You're often short of breath.

A blood gas test requires the collection of a small sample of blood. Arterial blood can be obtained from an artery in your wrist, arm, or groin, or preexisting arterial line if you are currently hospitalized. A blood gas sample can also be venous, from a vein or preexisting IV or capillary, which requires a small prick to the heel.

A healthcare provider will first sterilize the injection site with an antiseptic. You might feel a slight prick when the needle goes in. Arteries have more smooth muscle layers than veins, and some may find an arterial blood gas test more painful than a blood draw from a vein.

After the needle is removed, the technician will hold pressure for a few minutes before putting a bandage over the puncture wound.

The blood sample will then be analyzed by a portable machine or in an on-site laboratory. The sample must be analyzed within 10 minutes of the procedure to ensure an accurate test result.

The results of a blood gas test can help your doctor diagnose various diseases or determine how well treatments are working for certain conditions, including lung diseases. It also shows whether or not your body is compensating for the imbalance. The normal values will have a slightly different reference range if they are from a venous or capillary sample.

Abnormal results can be signs of certain medical conditions, including the ones in the following table:. Normal and abnormal ranges can vary depending on the lab because some use different measurements or methods to analyze blood samples.

You should always meet with your doctor to discuss your test results in more detail. A CO2 blood test measures the amount of carbon dioxide CO2 in your blood serum, the liquid part of your blood. It may also be called a carbon…. When your body fluids contain too much acid, it's known as acidosis. A creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine, a waste product, in the blood.

Learn how to prepare for it, what to expect, and what the…. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases. Despite the similarity in name, ketosis and ketoacidosis are two different things. Has the body done a good job at fixing the problem?

Is the pH back within normal ranges? No, the pH is not within normal ranges, so there is partial compensation occurring. Note: ABGs should be thought of as a snapshot of how the body is interacting with its environment at a particular time. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify here. Log In Join Ausmed. Start my Subscription. Log In. Sign Up. Online CPD Articles.

Document 6m of CPD. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to remember how to decipher these important results. What is Normal? To Simplify Compensated or Uncompensated?

Respiratory or Metabolic?