Sign in →

Test Code ABG Blood Gas, Arterial

Important Note

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

Laboratory Code

LAB76

Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following:

 

Preferred

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

 

Acceptable

Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Container/Tube: Capillary tube
Volume: 180.0 uL
Minimum Volume: 180.0 uL
Collection Instructions: Mix well to prevent clotting. Send sample on ice to laboratory immediately (to arrive within 5 mins).

Specimen Stability

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

Panel Information

Panel includes the following tests:

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

Methodology

pO2 Amperometry
pCO2 Potentiometry
pH Potentiometry

 

Calculated parameters:

Base Excess (BE)

Actual Bicarbonate (HCO3)

Standard Bicarbonate (SBC)

O2 Saturation (SAT)

Days and Times Performed

24 hrs, TAT 1 day

Specimen Condition

Haemolysis Not applicable
Icterus Not applicable
Lipaemia Not applicable
Others: Sample not sent in ice, sample not sealed, bubbles present in sample, clotted sample Reject

Reference Interval

pH, arterial 7.35 – 7.45
pCO2, arterial 35.0 – 45.0 mmHg
pO2, arterial 75.0 – 105.0 mmHg
Base excess, arterial - 2.0 – 2.0 mmol/L
Actual bicarbonate, arterial 23.0 – 33.0 mmol/L
Standard bicarbonate, arterial 22.0 – 28.0 mmol/L
O2 Saturation, arterial ≥ 96.0 %

Testing Laboratory

National University Hospital

Clinical Chemistry, 67724346

Useful For

Evaluation of acid-base status

Service Code

31000

LOINC Code Information

pH, arterial 2744-1
pCO2, arterial 2019-8
pO2, arterial 2703-7
Base excess, arterial 1925-7
Actual bicarbonate, arterial 1960-4
Standard bicarbonate, arterial 19230-2
O2 saturation, arterial 51733-4

Update

Last updated 10/03/2025