Why are Arterial Blood Gas Tests Done?
• The arterial blood gas test helps you determine the pH of the blood which in turn tells you about the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the bicarbonate level. • Concentrations of lactate, hemoglobin, several electrolytes, oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin can also be checked with the help of arterial blood gas test. • Blood gas tests are mainly done to assess the oxygenation capacity of the lungs for diagnostic reasons. • The oxygen pressure in the blood can be assessed for therapeutic reasons. • Arterial blood gases can be used to assess respiratory adequacy. • This test helps to assess acid-base status. Understanding arterial blood gases can be confusing. Let us first have a look at the normal arterial blood gas values. Normal Arterial Blood Gas Values • The normal blood pH range is 7.35 to 7.45. Acidity or alkalinity of the blood can be measured with pH values. • The normal range of PaO2 is 80 to 100 mm Hg. PaO2 tells us about the partial pressure
