Arterial blood gas

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Arterial Blood Gas

An Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) (pronounced: ar-teer-ee-al blud gas) is a blood test that measures the levels of certain gases and other parameters in the blood. It is often used in healthcare to assess the effectiveness of a patient's respiration and the balance of acid and base in the body.

Etymology

The term "Arterial Blood Gas" is derived from the words "arterial" (pertaining to the artery), "blood" (the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins), and "gas" (referring to the gases measured by the test, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide).

Procedure

The ABG test involves drawing blood from an artery, usually the radial artery in the wrist. The blood is then analyzed in a laboratory to measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as the pH (a measure of acidity or alkalinity) and the levels of bicarbonate, a chemical that helps regulate pH.

Interpretation

The results of an ABG test can provide valuable information about a patient's respiratory and metabolic status. For example, high levels of carbon dioxide may indicate respiratory acidosis, while low levels of oxygen may suggest hypoxemia. The pH and bicarbonate levels can help determine whether a patient has a metabolic or respiratory acid-base disorder.

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