Blood Gas, Arterial

Included Tests

Base Excess; HCO3; O2 Sat; pCO2; pH; pO2; TCO2

Specimen Requirements

Minimum of 0.5 mL Whole Blood in a 3.0 mL Syringe with Heparin
or
Minimum of 0.2 mL Whole Blood in a Tuberculin Syringe with Heparin

Alternate Specimen

4.0 mL Whole Blood in a Green Top Tube - Li Heparin  (may be used in trauma, code or surgery situations only) if full

TransportAndStorage

10 minutes Ambient
2 hours Iced

Collection Instructions

Due to smearing of print while on ice, please label specimen following procedure and a second label in the pocket of transport bag with requisition

Place on ice immediately after collection for up to 2 hours

All extra air must be expelled at collection

Remove needle from syringe before submitting to the laboratory

Minimum Volume

Neonatal Volumne

iSTAT

Reference Range:

Base Excess:  -2.0 - 2.0
HCO3: 21 - 28
O2 Sat: 95 -100
pCO2: 35 - 46
pH: 7.35 - 7.45
pO2: 80 - 100
TCO2: 22 - 29

Critical Ranges:

Low Limits:                           High Limits
pCO2: < 20                            pCO2: > 70
pH: < 7.10                              pH: > 7.60
pO2: < 20                               TCO2: > 45
TCO2: < 10

Methodology:

• Co-oximetry
• Ion Selective Electrode (ISE)

CDM

01426661

CPT Coding

82805