Test Catalog

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Test Name: Arterial Blood Gas

Test Code: ABGAS

Cerner Synonyms: Arterial BGAS, ABG

Turn around time: Available on a STAT basis.

Collection Container: Heparinized Syringe

Alternate Collection Container(s): Heparinized Capillary

Sample Type: Whole Blood

Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Method: Radiometer ABL800

Notes:

In the presence of dyshemoglobins the reported oxygen saturation overestimates the fraction of oxyhemoglobin in total blood hemoglobin.   

Heavy smokers may show up to 0.10 of Hb as carboxyhemoglobin.    

Elevated carboxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin is automatically reported on any blood gas order, if that hemoglobin species is present.   

Hydroxycobalamin, given to smoke exposure victims, results in a marked negative bias in carboxyhemoglobin and a marked positive bias in methemoglobin.

This lactate method has a positive interference with glycolic acid, the major metabolite of ethlyene glycol. To confirm an elevated lactate, order a plasma lactate (LACT).