| A | B |
|---|
| ABG | arterial blood gas |
| pH | acidity or alkalinity of blood |
| pO2 | how much oxygen is dissolved in blood |
| pCO2 | how much carbon dioxide is dissolved in blood |
| HCO3 | bicarbonate buffer system of kidneys |
| O2 saturation | % of oxygen bound to hemoglobin |
| respiratory therapist | collects majority of inpatient ABGs |
| presence of collateral circulation | draw site is supplied with more than one artery |
| radial artery | 1st choice ABG site |
| brachial artery | 2nd choice ABG site |
| femoral artery | ABG puncture site by physician only |
| Allen test | check for collateral circulation |
| 5-15 minutes minimum | time to apply pressure to puncture site |
| arteriospasm, discomfort, numbness | arterial collection complications |
| air bubbles, delay in analysis, use of improper syringe | arterial sampling errors |
