Blood Gas Analysis (ABG) Test

The Blood Gas Analysis (ABG) test is often used to determine how effective your body is, in
absorbing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from your blood. Primarily, this test is used to find
out about the current oxygen, carbon dioxide levels in your blood as well as determine the PH level
of your blood. More importantly, this test is used as an early diagnostic tool to correctly identify
imbalances in your body which can arise from several health conditions; some of these are listed
below –
Kidney failure
Drug overdose
Sudden shock
Heart failure
Cardiovascular issues
Hemorrhage
Toxicity
If you do feel that you are displaying some of the symptoms of oxygen carbon dioxide imbalance
listed below, then you need to consult with your physician right away. Some of the symptoms
associated with oxygen-carbon dioxide imbalance are listed below –
shortness of breath
lightheadedness
confusion
dizziness
difficulty breathing
nausea

If you have started displaying some of the symptoms listed above, then you need to consult with your physician right away. Your doctor would conduct a brief physical examination, review your medical history and order a Blood Gas Analysis (ABG) test to check and review the current oxygen, carbon dioxide absorption rate as well as to assess if the current imbalances are indicative of serious health issues. Your doctor may also order a creatinine test as well as a blood glucose test to check and evaluate your kidney function as well. You need to be upfront with your doctor regarding your current medical condition as well as list out all medications you may be taking at the moment as these may have a direct bearing on your current imbalance and the current spike in your Ph levels.

This test is mainly used to check and see how well your body works, in absorbing oxygen and in removing carbon dioxide from your blood. This is why it is vital that you get yourself tested periodically to better safeguard your health.

Your doctor would ask you to lie back comfortably in your chair while he uses a tourniquet on your arm to make your arteries jut out. He would then use an antiseptic to clean the area, after which he would draw out a small sample of your arterial blood into a sterile container, using a standard size syringe. The sample is then collected into a sterile container, tagged and sent to the lab for processing. The sample is tested and analyzed within minutes of being collected and your doctor should be able to review the results of the same within 15 minutes or so. The results should indicate about your current oxygen-carbon dioxide absorption rate as well as your current Ph levels. If the imbalance is confirmed, your physician may address further tests to identify causative factors for your current condition.