13 Arterial Blood Collection/MEP

List five ABG sampling errors.

ABG sampling errors include: using too much or too little heparin; insufficient mixing; allowing air bubbles to enter the syringe; using an improper plastic syringe; using an improper anticoagulant; puncturing a vein instead of an artery; exposing the specimen to the atmosphere after collection

Arterial collection is most often used for testing?

Arterial collection is most often used for test ABGs.

What gauge needle is most often used for blood gas collection?

For blood gas collection, 21- or 22-gauge needle are most often used.

Arterial blood collection monitors all of the following except:

Glucose

The ABG syringe is coated with:

Heparin

RT

Respiratory therapist

What safety precautions must be taken by the phlebotomist when collecting blood from an artery?

Safety precautions to take when collecting arterial blood: wear a fluid-resistant gown, face protection, and gloves; use a puncture-resistant container for sharps and a small rubber or latex block for the needle

For an arterial collection, at what angle is the needle inserted into the artery?

The needle should be inserted at an angle 45 to 60 degrees above the plane of the skin for an arterial collection.

If lidocaine is injected before an arterial blood collection, wait____ minutes for the anesthetic to begin working

1 to 2

arteriospasm

rapid contraction of the arterial wall

hyperventilation

rapid shallow breathing

A typical needle gauge for ABG collection is:

22

In an arterial collection, the needle should be inserted at:

45 degrees

A normal blood pH is:

7.35

Describe the difference between a syringe used for venipuncture and a syringe used for ABG collection

A syringe used for venipunture is not heparinized, whereas a syringe used for arterial puncture is pretreated with heparin (glass or gas impermeable plastic) to prevent coagulation.

Name five reasons that ABG specimens are rejected.

ABG specimens may be rejected due to: inadequate volume of specimen for the test; clotting; improper or absent labeling; using the wrong syringe; air bubbles in the specimen; failure to ice the specimen; too long a delay in delivering the specimen to the lab.

arterial blood gases

ABG tests to determine the concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood and the pH of the blood

List four conditions that produce abnormal ABG values

Abnormal ABG values can be produced by: COPD, lung cancer, diabetic coma, shock, cardiac or respiratory failure, neuromuscular disease

What is the difference between acidosis and alkalosis?

Acidosis is indicated by a lower pH, whereas alkalosis is indicated for a higher pH.

Define arteriospasm.

An arteriospasm is the spontaneous constriction of an artery in response to pain.

In which population is capillary blood gas testing most commonly performed, and on what part of the body is this procedure usually done?

Capillary blood gas testing is most commonly performed on pediatric patients, as they generally should not be subjected to deep punctures required for ABG testing. This procedure is using performed on the heel.

Why is capillary blood not as desirable as arterial blood for testing blood gases?

Capillary blood is not as desirable as arterial blood for testing blood gases because capillary blood is a mixture of blood from the capillaries, venules, and arterioles, and it is mixed with tissue fluids. In addition, this method of collection is open to the air, and the specimen may exchange gases with room air before it is sealed.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The modified Allen test determines:

Collateral circulation

Define collateral circulation, and state which test is used to determine whether this is present.

Collateral circulation is the accessory supply of blood to a region by more than one artery. Collateral circulation is tested using the modified All test.

What local anesthetic may be used to numb the site?

Lidocaine may be used to numb an arterial puncture site.

What is a normal blood pH?

Normal blood pH is 7.35

All of the following are complications of ABG collection expect:

Petechiae

Besides alcohol, which other antiseptic must be used for arterial puncture?

Povidone iodine must be used in addition to alcohol for arterial puncture.

How long must pressure be applied to the puncture site after an arterial collection?

Pressure should be applied to the puncture site for 5 minutes after an arterial collection.

Which artery is most frequently used for ABG collection?

Radial

The modified Allen test is performed on the:

Ulnar and radial arteries

collateral circulation

accessory supply of blood to a region by more than one artery

capillary blood gas testing

alternative to arterial blood gas testing

partial pressure of carbon dioxide

amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood

partial pressure of oxygen

amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood

ABG

arterial blood gas

dorsalis pedis artery

artery in the foot

femoral artery

artery in the groin area above the thigh

radial artery

artery supplying the hand

scalp artery

artery used for arterial blood collection in infants

umbilical artery

artery used for arterial collection in infants

thrombosis

clot formation within a blood vessel

brachial artery

large artery in the antecubital fossa

flea

metal filing used to mix blood with additives in small tubes

Pco2

partial pressure of carbon dioxide

Po2

partial pressure of oxygen

respiratory steady state

state required for ABG collection,in which blood gas concentrations are steady

modified Allen test

test for collateral circulation

All of the following are ABG sampling errors except:

use of a gas-impermeable plastic syringe