Blood Gas Sampling Errors

ABG

Gold standard for assessing gas exchange

PaCO2

Best index for ventilation adequacy

PaO2

Key indicator for oxygenation

SaO2

Measurement for oxygen saturation in blood

CaO2

Calculation for oxygen content in blood

PvO2

Partial pressure of oxygen in venous blood

CO

Measurement of cardiac output

Hgb

Hemoglobin level in blood

FIO2

Fraction of inspired oxygen

Clark electrode

Type of oxygen analyzer using polarographic method

Galvanic fuel cell

Oxygen analyzer measuring FIO2, affected by altitude and water

Calibrate Analyzer

Exposing sensor to 100% O2 and RA for calibration

Problem-solving

Addressing low battery, maintenance, and sensor issues

Severinghaus electrode

Measures PCO2 by sensing current changes

Sanz electrode

Used for pH measurement

Thrombolytic

Medication breaking down clots

Antiplatelets

Medications preventing platelet aggregation

Anticoagulants

Medications preventing blood clotting

Universal Precautions

Safety measures for handling all samples as potentially infected

Biohazard

Handling samples with universal precautions and proper disposal

Handwashing

Key practice in infection control

Gloves

Protective gear worn on hands

Mask and goggles

Protective gear for face if droplets expected

Sharps

Needles and other sharp medical objects

Gown

Protective garment worn to shield from splashes

Steady state

Time needed for a change to reflect in the blood

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

RR

Respiratory Rate

BIPAP

Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure device

PEEP

Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in ventilation

PS

Pressure Support in ventilation

Anticoagulant

Substance preventing blood clotting

Heparin

Anticoagulant used to prevent blood clotting

ABG results

Findings from an Arterial Blood Gas test

Metabolic rate

Rate at which body consumes energy

Aseptic technique

Method to prevent infection during medical procedures

Local anesthetic

Numbing agent for pain relief in a specific area

Lidocaine

Common local anesthetic

Radial artery

Artery commonly used for ABG sampling

Brachial artery

Artery used for ABG sampling, longer needle required

Collateral Circulation

Alternate blood flow pathway in case of artery obstruction

Arteriospasm

Artery spasm due to pain or anxiety, cutting off blood supply

Thrombus

Clot formation reducing/stopping blood flow in an area

Hematoma

Leakage of blood into tissue, clotting and hardening

Vasovagal Response

Fainting response due to distress or anxiety

Modified Allen Test

Assesses ulnar artery circulation before radial artery puncture

Brachial Artery

Alternative to radial artery for blood pressure measurement

Femoral Artery

Used in emergencies with no peripheral pulses, deep and near veins

Radial Puncture

Procedure for arterial blood sampling, involving wrist extension and slow advancement

Sample Handling

Process of preparing and analyzing arterial blood samples

Indwelling Catheters

Arterial lines for blood sampling and pressure monitoring, with potential complications

Pressure transducer

Device sending electrical signal to monitor arterial pressure waveform

Arterial line setup

Includes tubing, flushing device, and pressurized bag with heparin/saline to prevent clotting

3-way stopcock

Device with ports for flush, sample, and patient, controlling fluid flow

Capillary gases

Blood gases from capillaries for pH and PCO2 estimates, not arterial

Umbilical arterial catheter (UAC)

Inserted in newborns for continuous BP, ABG, and lab monitoring

Sampling errors

Causes include air in sample, venous sampling, anticoagulant effects, and metabolic changes

Hemodilution

Excessive heparin decreases PCO2 and PO2 levels

Metabolism

Affects blood gases; sample should be analyzed within 20 minutes

Temperature regulation

Samples must be measured at 37°C to prevent skewed results

Hemoximetry

Analyzing blood gases and hemoglobin types