Arterial Blood Gas Flashcards
What Can an ABG tell us about the Pt
Oxygenation (PaO2 and SaO2)
Ventilation (PaCO2)
Acid-Base Balance (pH)
Oxygen Carrying Capacity of the Blood (HbO2, Total Hb, and Dyshemoglobins)
Electrolytes
Sugars
Main reasons to get an ABG
Assessment of pt.
Discharge and to see if they qualiify for home oxygen
What Should We check the patient’s Chart for before we do the ABG
Current Diagnosis
What FiO2 is the pt on
INR
aPTT
Fribrinogin
Platlets
Thrombolytics
Anticoagulants
Blood disorders
If any of the lab values are critical you have to call the physician to veryify that you should do the ABG
International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Normals-0.9-1.1 (1.0-1.2)
Critical Value >6
Assess time for the extrinsic and common coagulation pathways (secondary hemostasis)
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Normals-23-24 sec (22-26) sec
Critical value >120 seconds
Assess time for the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways (secondary hemostasis)
Fribrinogin
Normals-1.6-4.1 g/L
Critical value <0.6 g/L
Factor 1 in the coagulation cascade
Platelets
Measure of primary hemostasis
Normals-150 000-300 000/ uL (150 000-450 000/uL)
Critical Value < 10 000/ul
Decreased platelet count - Thrombocytopenia
Thrombolytics
Streptase (Stretokinase)
Retavase (Reteplase)
Activase rt-PA (alteplase)
Anticoagulants
- Heparin Standard
- Heparin Sodium
- Heparin Low Molecular Weight
- Fragmin (Dalteparin Sodium)
- Innohep (tinzaparin)
- Lovenox (Enoxaparin Sodium)
- Heparinoids
- Orgaran (danaparoid sodium)
- Vitamin K Antagonist
- Couamdin (Warfarin Sodium)
- Sintrom (nicoumalone)
- Various Anticoagulants
- Refludan (Lepirudin)
Blood Disorders
Hemophilia
Why do we use ABG as oppose to other blood samples for accurate blood gas analysis
Venous samples will vary in their results due to local tissue metabolism
Capillary samples are prone to venous admixture and air contamination
ABG Indication
- A patient that is believed to have an alteration in acid-base balance, ventilation, and/or oxygenation
- Ex. Emphysema, drug OD, Cardiac arrest, and diabetic coma
- A patient who has developed unexpected tachypnea, dyspnea, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, drowsiness, or confusion
- To help establish baseline values in a patient with a chronic lung disease and monitor improvement/deterioration
- A patient with a chronic lung disease prior to surgery
- A patient with a deteriorating clinical condition
- A patient who is on a ventilator
- To evaluate the changes in the delivery of specific respiratory care
- Ex. Ventilation, oxygenation, medication
Relative Contraindications of an ABG
The need for an accurate measurement of blood gases and acid-base balance in a patient may outweigh the contraindications
- Bilateral negative modified Allen’s test
- Patient on anticoagulant or thrombolytic medication
- Patient with a coagulation disorder
- Patient with severe hypotension
- Patient with deformities at the puncture site
- Ex. Arthritis of hand or wrist, congenital arm or hip deformities
- A patient with Raynaud’s Disease
- Patient with fibrosed arteries
- Patient with large hematoma of the puncture site area
- A patient who refuses to cooperate
- The puncture should not be performed distal to a surgical shunt
- Ex. An arterial puncture should not be performed on a patient who is undergoing dialysis.
- A blood gas can be asked for during CPR even though we know that the pt will be acidotic as we still want a baseline in which to measure progress
* If you are worried about any possible contraindications to arterial puncture, discuss this matter with the physician
What is the only Absolute Contraindications for an ABG
A skin graft at the puncture area
Raynaud’s Disease
A peripheral vascular disease that is characterized by an intermittent attack of pallor (unhealthy pale appearance) or cyanosis of the digits or toes
It causes the blood vessels to narrow when you are cold or feeling stressed. When this happens, blood can’t get to the surface of the skin and the affected areas turn white and blue. When the blood flow returns, the skin turns red and throbs or tingles.
ABG Hazards for a Pt.
- Hematoma
- Hemorrhage- In order to minimize this risk you have to hold pressure on the puncture site for five min
- Infection
- Thrombosis
- Arterial Spasm
- Laceration of blood vessel or nerves
- Air or blood clotted emboli
- Anaphylaxis from local anesthesia
- Arterial occlusion
- Vasovagal response
- * The pt. will need to know all of these hazards in order to get informed consent from the patient
ABG Hazards for a Medical Staff
Blood borne infections
Troubleshooting Can’t Locate Artery
Withdraw the needle slightly so that the bevel is just below the skin, then redirect towards the palpated artery
Only two redirects allowed
If an adequate pulse cannot be found then another site should be selected or a non-invasive approach should be considered such as a pulse oximetry
Ultrasounds guidance may be useful in this situation
When do we chose the Femoral artery
Used in low perfusion states, deformities, and a failed modified Allen’s test
ABG Syringe
- Usually plastic but sometimes glass
- Plastic should be vented
- Set plunger to 1.5cc
- Allows self filling from blood pressure
Plastic Vented Syringe
- 20-25 gauge
- Pre-filled heparin
- Can usually be seen in hub as white fluffy stuff
- Lithium heparin
- Glass or regular syringes
- Heparinize with sodium heparin (1000U/ml)
- Balanced for electrolytes should be used
- Higher [heparin] (10,000IU/ml) may cause altered pH
Transporting the Sample
Always be prepared to transport the sample
Blood is still metabolizing
When using the plastic syringe analyze the ABG within 30 min at room temperature
Calgary Health Region recommends > 10 min to analyze place the sample in the ice slurry
Ice may be required if elevated leukocyte or platelets count is present
Informed Consent
- Description of procedure
- Why it needs to be done.
- What you are going to do.
- Description of the potential complications.
- What could go wrong? (bleeding from site, bruising, infection)
- How you are going to limit the potential complications?
- Do they understand?
- Do they consent?
Advantages of Radial Artery
- Collateral Circulation
- The deep and superficial palmar arches are supplied with blood from both the radial and ulnar arteries, therefore, if the radial artery becomes obstructed collateral blood flow to the hand should be available via ulnar artery
- The radial artery at the wrist is superficial, therefore relatively easy to palpate, stabilize and puncture
- The wrist is generally easily accessible
- The radial artery typically does not have any major nerves in close proximity (at the wrist) therefore as long as puncture of the bony periosteum is avoided, the patient should only feel discomfort similar to that of a venous puncture
Disadvantages of Radial Artery
- The radial artery is more peripheral than the femoral artery therefore somewhat more likely to go into spasm
- However as long as ulnar flow is present this is not a problem (assessed during the modified Allen’s test)
- There is a radial vein located on each side of the radial artery therefore it is possible to inadvertently draw a venous sample
- However these veins are of smaller diameter than the artery and normally have a much lower pressure