Acidity

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arterial blood gases

Alternative Names

ABG, arterial blood gas

Definition

Arterial blood gases, called ABGs, are a series of blood measurements that

are ordered as a single test. This test is used mainly to check lung

function

and acid levels in the body.

Who is a candidate for the test?

Any time there is a question about breathing problems, oxygen and carbon

dioxide exchange, or acid levels in the body, this test can be helpful.

Examples

include:

people with

shortness of breath

due to lung problems

people with rapid breathing due to heart or blood conditions

people who are unconscious

people who are suspected of having too much or too little acid in the body,

such as someone with kidney failure

people on artificial breathing machines called

ventilators.

ABGs are done regularly to assure that the machines are set correctly.

How is the test performed?

A blood sample from an artery is needed to do this test. In most cases, an

artery on the palm side of the wrist is used to get the blood. Sometimes, an

artery in the groin or other area may be used.

What do the test results mean?

There are several values that are measured in an ABG. Each of the values has

a set range that is considered to be within healthy limits. If any of the

main

values becomes severely abnormal, the person may die.

pH LevelThe pH is one of the main parts of this test. This is a measure of

the level of acid in the blood. Acid levels may be too high with:

kidney failure or damage

certain cases of uncontrolled

diabetes

exposure to certain toxic substances, such as a drug overdose

shock, which may occur from heart failure, serious infections, or massive

blood or fluid loss

breathing troubles, such as lung infections,

asthma,

emphysema,

or not breathing fast enough

certain medicines

Acid levels may be too low from:

dehydration

certain types of kidney problems

breathing too fast, such as when a person has a

panic disorder

excessive

vomiting

salt imbalances,

which may result from a hormone problem in the body

certain medicines

If the pH is abnormal, the other parts of the test can help find out the

reason. For example, if the acid level in the body is too high, it could be

from

breathing or metabolism problems. It is crucial to know what is causing the

high acid level so that the best treatment can be chosen. If the acid level

is too high because of a breathing problem, the person may need extra oxygen

or even a ventilator. If the acid level is too high from metabolism

problems,

a person may need to be hooked up to a blood-filtering machine or may need

antibiotics or other medicines.

Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide LevelsOther parts of the test are the oxygen and

carbon dioxide levels in the blood. The job of the lungs is to take in

oxygen

and get rid of carbon dioxide. If some type of breathing or respiratory

problem is present, these values will be abnormal. The oxygen level can also

be

used to check if a person is getting enough oxygen or whether they need

extra oxygen.

Bicarbonate LevelThe part of the test that measures the bicarbonate level in

the blood will determine whether there is a metabolism problem.

Other minor parts of the test may be monitored by a doctor in certain

situations.

The doctor must look at the pH, breathing, and metabolic parts of the test

as a whole. This allows the doctor to sort out different problems in a

person's

body.

Author: Adam Brochert, MD

Date Written: 05/07/00

Reviewer: Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN

Date Reviewed: 10/10/02

Copyright 2002, North Memorial Health Care