ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES

The body's cells use oxygen to generate energy and produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. Measuring the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood tells us how effective breathing is. The arterial blood gas is the test used to measure the lung's effectiveness.

An arterial blood gas may be requested to evaluate symptoms of lung disease, such as a chronic cough or shortness of breath. It is also used to monitor the effectiveness of oxygen therapy or other breathing treatments. The blood for this test is drawn from an artery. An artery is a vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart and lungs toward the body cells.

In most blood tests, the blood is taken from a vein. Veins are located close to the skin surface, and are easy to draw blood from. Arteries, however, run deeper under the skin. For this reason, drawing blood from them is a little more difficult and uncomfortable. Even so, the entire procedure lasts only a few minutes.

The wrist is the most common location for drawing arterial blood gasses. Since blood pressure is stronger in arteries than in veins, the puncture may take longer to close. Firm pressure is applied to the site for 3 to 5 minutes following the test. A bandage is applied and the person should rest quietly for an additional 15 minutes.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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