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Arterial Blood Gas Analysis |
Arterial
blood gas analysis is a test that determines the level of pH, oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and bicarbonate in the blood.
The presence of lung disease can be confirmed if poor gas exchange is revealed
by this blood test.
Arterial
blood is typically taken from the radial artery in the wrist, the femoral
artery in the inner thigh, or the brachial artery in the arm. This is done with a small needle; a local
anesthetic may be applied to the area where the blood is drawn, but most
patients generally tolerate this procedure well without any numbing
medication. After the sample is
obtained, it is sent immediately to the laboratory to be analyzed by a blood
gas monitor, a machine that can detect the gases in the blood.
Although
this test is primarily performed to diagnose pulmonary (lung) problems,
metabolic or kidney diseases may also be detected.
Generally,
this procedure poses very little risk to the patient.
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