Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Arterial Blood Gas Sampling Procedure PDF
Arterial Blood Gas Sampling Procedure PDF
Product: ABG
Number:
Date: 28.03.2019
Arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling is a commonly performed procedure which allows
healthcare professionals to quickly obtain information on a patient’s respiratory status
(blood oxygen and carbon dioxide levels), as well as the patient’s acid-base
balance. Taking an arterial blood gas (ABG) involves using a needle and syringe to
directly sample blood from an artery (usually the radial artery). Below is a step by step
guide explaining how to take an arterial blood gas sample.
1) Introduction
Wash hands.
Introduce yourself.
Confirm patient details:
A) Name/date of birth
B) Take note of whether the patient is requiring oxygen and record how much. (e.g.
FiO2 concentration or flow rate)
This test involves the assessment of the arterial supply to the hand.
A) Ask the patient to clench their fist.
B) Apply pressure over both the radial and ulnar artery to obstruct blood supply to the
hand.
C) Ask the patient to open their hand, which should now appear blanched (if not you
have not completely occluded the arteries with your fingers)
D) Remove pressure from the ulnar artery whilst maintaining pressure over the radial
artery.
E) If there is adequate blood supply from the ulnar artery, colour should return to the
entire hand within 5-15 seconds.
It should be noted that there is no evidence performing this test reduces the rate of
ischaemic complications of arterial sampling.
3) Gather equipment
4) Preparation
A) Position the patient’s arm preferably on a pillow for comfort with the wrist
extended (20-30°).
B) Prepare all the equipment in the equipment tray using an aseptic non touch technique.
C) Palpate the radial artery on the patient’s non-dominant hand (most pulsatile over the
lateral anterior aspect of the wrist).
D) Clean the site with an alcohol wipe for 30 seconds and allow to dry before
proceeding.
E) Wash hands again.
F) Done gloves and apron.
G) Prepare and administer lidocaine subcutaneously over the planned puncture
site (aspirate to ensure you are not in a blood vessel before injecting the local anaesthetic).
H) Allow at least 60 seconds for the local anesthetic to work.
I) Attach the needle to the ABG syringe, expel the heparin and pull the syringe plunger to
the required fill level (check with your local laboratory).