BLOOD GAS, ARTERIAL

Test Code

LAB76

Alias/See Also

Blood Gas, ABG

CPT Codes
82803

Preferred Specimen

Arterial Blood

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Heparinized Capillary Tube

Instructions

1. Always record the respiratory conditions of the patient at the time of sampling including ventilator settings, F102, amount of O2 therapy. 2. Hold arterial puncture site with mild pressure for at least 3-5 minutes. Monitor for continued bleeding to prevent hematoma. 3. Patients on anticoagulant therapy: arterial puncture site must be held with pressure for a least 5 minutes or longer if necessary. 4. Unlabeled samples will not be accepted for assay.Sample does not require being placed on ice unless actual assay time of sample is greater than 20 minutes.

Transport Container

Heparinize syringe with lithium heparin

Transport Temperature

Sample does not require being placed on ice unless actual assay time of sample is greater than 20 minutes.

Air bubbles must be expelled from sample syringe.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Specimen must have patient label attached to sample/syringe

Setup Schedule

Set Up:Daily Report Available:< 30 minutes
Routine < 60 minutes

Reference Range

pH	pH		7.350-7.450
pCO2	Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide	mmHg	35.0-45.0
pO2	Partial Pressure of Oxygen	mmHg	80.0-100.0
HCO3		mmol/L	22.0-26.0
SaO2		%	96.0-100.0

Clinical Significance

Assesses ventilatory and acid-base status of the patient.

Performing Laboratory
GBMC Respiratory Therapy

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.