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Blood Gas, Arterial

Important Note

Specimen Collection Containers: All samples should be sent down in an ice slurry and analyzed within 30 minutes. Testing for samples not on ice should be completed within 15 minutes.

Additional Codes

LAB76

Performing Laboratory

MBMC Main Laboratory

Methodology

Amperometric and Potentiometric

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lithium heparin syringe
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL
Additional Information: Syringe should be placed on ice immediately after draw to prevent gross changes in values by continued metabolism of RBCs and especially WBCs.  Specimen on ice neeed analyzed within 30 minutes. Testing for samples not on ice should be completed within 15 minutes.

Specimen Transport Temperature

On wet ice

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday
Turnaround Time:
Within 1 hour

Reference Values

pH: 

     0-1 day: 7.25-7.40

     1 day- 150 yr:  7.35-7.45
pCO2:  

     0-1 day:  30-60 mm Hg

     1 -18 yr: 32-48 mm Hg

     18-150 yr:  35-45 mm Hg

pO2 :  

     0-1 day:  30-100 mm HG

     >1 day:  83-108 mm Hg

O2Sat:  94-98 % (calculated)

tHb:  match hematology ranges with age and gender breakouts

HCO3: 

     0-1 day:  18-35 mmol/L

     1 day -150 yr:  20-30 mmol/L

Base Excess:  no established Reference range

Critical values (automatic call-back): 

pH:  <7.2 or >7.55

pO2:  <46 mm Hg

pCO2

     0-1 day < 21 mm Hg

     1 day - 150yr:  <21 or > 70mm Hg

HCO3:  < 11 or > 44 mmol/L

Test Classification and CPT Coding

Test Classification:

This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer’s instructions.

CPT Code:

82803