It also measures the pH or acid-base balance in your blood.
ABG tests are used to evaluate lung and kidney functions and the body’s metabolic state.
This article discusses the arterial blood gas test, its purpose, and what the results mean.
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What Is the ABG Test?
Every cell in your body requires oxygen to live.
Inhaling and exhaling bring in oxygen and push carbon dioxide out, a process called gas exchange.
Certain conditions may affect this process, leading to imbalances throughout the body.
Analysis of blood gases helps your healthcare provider understand your respiratory and metabolic status.
What Is an Arterial Blood Gas Test Used For?
ABGs can indicate how efficiently the lungs provide oxygen to the body and subsequently remove carbon dioxide.
ABGs also measure blood pH and the integrity of the body’s acid-base balance.
You may feel a slight prick when the needle breaks the skin.
What Does an Arterial Blood Gas Test Tell You?
An analysis of blood gases helps evaluate a person’s respiratory and metabolic status.
Abnormal ABG values may be signs of certain medical conditions.
An abnormal result basically means that your body is out of acid-base balance.
The most common complication is excess bleeding or bruising at the puncture site.
Summary
The ABG test helps your healthcare provider evaluate your lung and kidney function.
The test measures the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
It also measures your blood’s pH levels.
The ABG test is most often used on people who are critically ill. Abnormal ABG results can indicate health problems like kidney failure or a lung condition such as COPD.
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