Blood Gas, Arterial

Test Name

Blood Gas, Arterial

LIS Code

GASA

Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Lab Section

Chemistry

Fluid Type

Whole blood

Test Includes

pH, PCO2, PO2, BE, BD, HCO3, PHT, PCOT, PO2T, O2 FLOW, TEMP

Specimen Tube Type Transport

Heparinized Syringe on ice. Deliver to lab on Ice

Container Whole Blood Required

1.0 ml whole blood in a heparinized syringe or (gel/non-gel) lithium heparin tube.

Critical Value

For all ages and sex: PCO2 <20 mmHg or >70 mmHg; pH <7.2 or >7.6; PO2 <40 mmHg

Summary Test Name

Blood Gas, Arterial

Transport Time

Deliver immediately to lab after collection

Specimen Stability

1 hour if refrigerated and on ice

Minimum Volume

1.0 ml whole blood in a heparinized syringe

Specimen Transport

On Ice

Specimen Preparation In House

Keep on ice until analyzed

Stat Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

ASAP

Reference Value

Analyte Reference Range
pH 7.35 – 7.45
pCO2 35 – 48
pO2 83 – 108

Additional Test Information

Specimen must be received 'on ice'