Tests & procedures / Results block
Blood gas result
Capillary or arterial, with the two things people forget to write down: what they were breathing, and when.
[Capillary or arterial] blood gas, [date and time]: Sampled on [air, or oxygen at flow rate and device, FiO2] pH [] PaCO2 [] kPa PaO2 [] kPa Bicarbonate [] mmol/L Base excess [] Lactate [] mmol/L SpO2 by pulse oximeter at the time []% Interpretation: []
How to use it
A gas without the inspired oxygen recorded cannot be interpreted, and a gas without a time cannot be compared with the next one. Both are on the form here because both are what goes missing when the result is dictated from memory. Capillary earlobe sampling is well validated for pH and carbon dioxide and is the right test for monitoring ventilation or assessing for home ventilation; the oxygen value from an earlobe sample runs lower than arterial and should not be used to decide about long-term oxygen therapy — the assessment for that needs arterial sampling on two occasions at least three weeks apart when the person is stable.
Why it says that
None of this is in the copied text. It is here so you can check the block against its source, and change it when the source changes.
- BTS guideline for oxygen use in adults in healthcare and emergency settings Record the inspired oxygen with every blood gas, and target saturation ranges rather than treating oxygen as harmless.
- BTS guideline for home oxygen use in adults Arterial sampling when stable, on two occasions at least three weeks apart, before long-term oxygen is prescribed.
- BTS guideline for respiratory management of patients with neuromuscular weakness, and adult NIV guidance Capillary sampling as an acceptable alternative for pH and carbon dioxide when monitoring ventilation.