Blood Gas Draw. Lithium Heparin in order of draw EDTA. Arterial punctures for arterial blood gases ABGs analysis are described as the most painful laboratory procedure and are performed without the benefit of pain management.
Neither ABG nor VBG measurements are usually helpful. It is widely recommended to routinely obtain an ABG or VBG for example by both American and British guidelines. Heparinized blood gas syringe.
Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.
Below is a step-by-step guide to taking an arterial blood gas sample in an OSCE setting with an included video demonstration. Expel air bubbles remove needle from syringe and cap-Air bubble is not acceptable. The American Association for Respiratory Care has published Clinical Care Guidelines for Blood Gas Analysis and Hemoximetry that provides current best practices for sampling handling and analyzing ABGs. Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.
