An arterial blood gases (ABG) test is a blood test that measures blood pH, and levels of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from an artery.
The ABG sample is taken from an artery, not a vein. ABG sampling is usually performed on the radial artery.
Normal ABG Value;
PaCO2;35-45mmHg
PaO2; 75 to 100mmHg
HCO3-;22-26mmEq/l
PH; 7.35-7.45
Oxygen saturation; 95-100%
ABG Arterial Blood Gas Sampling Procedures
Step 1
1. Wash your hands and introduce yourself to patient.
Step 2
2. Gather the necessary equipment;
A tary containing;
1. ABG Syringes
2. Gloves
3. Pre-heparinised arterial blood gas syringe and bung or cap
4. Arterial blood gas needle (23 G)
5. Alcohol wipe (70% isopropyl)
6. Gauze or cotton wool
7. Tape
8. Sharps container
Procedure
1. Assess the site where you plan to perform arterial sampling.
2. Palpate the radial artery over the wrist of the patient’s non-dominant hand to identify an ideal puncture site.
3. You should use the tips of your fingers to clearly map out the course of the radial artery and then identify the site where the artery is most pulsatile.
4. Once you have identified your planned puncture site, clean it with an alcohol wipe for 30 seconds and allow it to dry before proceeding.
Arterial Puncture
1. Remove the protective cover from the ABG needle and then flush through the heparin from the syringe.
2. Hold the patient’s wrist extended by 20-30° with support.
3. Palpate the radial artery with your non-dominant hand’s index finger around 1cm planned puncture site (avoiding contaminating the planned puncture site that you previously cleaned).
4. Warn the patient you are going to insert the needle.
5. Holding the ABG syringe like a dart, insert the needle through the skin at the insertion site at an angle of 30-45°.
6. Continue to advance the needle slowly towards the pulsation until you feel a sudden reduction in resistance and see a rush of blood back into the ABG syringe.
7. The ABG syringe should then begin to self-fill in a pulsatile manner.
If this doesn’t fill, it may indicate you have missed the artery and then need to re-adjust your position based on your understanding of the course of the radial artery (change in angulation or slight withdrawal of the needle).
8. Once the required amount of blood sample has been collected, remove the needle and apply immediate firm pressure over the puncture site with some gauze. Secure the gauze with some tape and continue to apply pressure.
9. Remove the ABG needle and cover the ABG syringe with safely device.
10. Carefully expel any air from the sample if present, place a cap onto the ABG syringe.
11. Attach the patient details sticker to the ABG sample.
12. Discard the ABG needle immediately into a sharps bin.
13. Continue to apply firm pressure to the puncture site for 3-5 minutes to reduce the risk of haematoma formation.
14. Documenting in patients files.
0 Comments