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Test Code ABG Blood Gas, Arterial (ABG)

Important Note

Do not expose the specimen to air. Specimen should be completely without air bubbles. Mix sample well to prevent clotting. Chill specimen and send to the Lab immediately.

Specimen Requirements

Preferred

Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Container/Tube: Special heparinised blood gas syringe
Volume: 3.0mL
Minimum Volume: 1.0mL 
Collection Instructions: Collect sample in special heparinized blood gas syringe and mix well to prevent clotting. Send sample on ice to the Laboratory immediately (to arrive within 5 minutes).

 

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Acceptable

Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Container/Tube: Capillary tube
Volume:  175uL
Minimum Volume:  175uL
Collection Instructions: Mix well to prevent clotting. Send sample on ice to the Laboratory immediately (to arrive within 5 minutes).

Sample Stability

** Preferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to NUH **

 

Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Ambient: Reject
Refrigerate: 5 mins (ice slurry)
Frozen: Reject

 

Reference Interval

pH, Arterial (NUHS) 7.35 – 7.45
pCO2, Arterial (NUHS) 35.0 – 45.0 mmHg
pO2, Arterial (NUHS) 75.0 – 105.0 mmHg
Base Excess, Arterial (NUHS) -2.0–2.0 mmol/L
Actual Bicarbonate, Arterial (NUHS) 23.0 – 33.0 mmol/L
Standard Bicarbonate, Arterial (NUHS) 22.0 – 28.0 mmol/L
O2 Saturation, Arterial (NUHS) ≥96.0 %

 

Days and Times Performed

24 hours, TAT 1 day

Methodology

pO2 Amperometry
pCO2 Potentiometry
pH Potentiometry

 

Calculated parameters:

 

Base Excess (BE)  
Calculated Bicarbonate (HCO3)  
Standard Bicarbonate (SBC)  
O2 Saturation (SAT)

 

Service Code

0031000

Update

Last updated 30/01/2023

Updated O2 Saturation, Arterial reference interval

Unacceptable Condition

 

Haemolysis NA
Icterus NA
Lipaemic NA
Others Sample not sent in ice, Bubbles present in the sample, Clotted sample

 

Testing Laboratory

National University Hospital

Clinical Chemistry, 67724346

Useful For

Evaluation of acid-base status

Panel Information

Profile includes the following tests:

  • pH        
  • pCO2   
  • pO2       
  • Base Excess (BE)      
  • Calculated Bicarbonate (HCO3)    
  • Standard Bicarbonate (SBC)     
  • O2 Saturation (SAT)