Arterial Blood Gas Studies:
Purpose
1) A measurement of partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood, as well as the pH of the blood.
2) The Partial pressure of oxygen, together with hemoglobin, is a measurement of the amount of oxygen in the arterial blood.
3) Provide a means of assessing the adequacy oxygenation and ventilation (i.e., the lungs supplying oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide.)
4) Help assess the acid-base status of the body-whether acidosis or alkalosis is present and to what degree.
Clinical Uses of Arterial Blood Gas Studies:
1) Unexplained tachypnea, dyspnea,(especially in patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary disease).
2) Unexplained restlessness, anxiety, drowsiness, or confusion in patients at risk for respiratory insufficiency br respiratory failure.
3) Assessment of preoperative pulmonary status.
4) Assessment before and during long-term oxygen therapy and during mechanical ventilator support.
5) Potential or actual impairment in acid-base balance.
6) Assessment of disease progression or reversibility