Arterial Blood Gas Specialist
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Florida Lung & Sleep Associates
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine located in Lehigh Acres & Fort Myers, FL
If you’re having difficulty breathing, you may need an arterial blood gas test to check your oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. This safe and reliable test is just one of the diagnostic tests available at Florida Lung & Sleep Associates in Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers, Florida. You can expect efficient and comfortable care, delivered with compassion, from our College of American Pathologists (CAP) accredited facility. Book your appointment by phone or call the office nearest you now.
Arterial Blood Gas Q & A
What is an arterial blood gas (ABG) test?
An arterial blood gas test checks your oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels of blood taken from an artery. If you're suffering from respiratory symptoms that could indicate an imbalance in any of these things, an arterial blood gas test may be part of your diagnostic process.
Florida Lung & Sleep Associates performs ABG testing and other tests on-site.
Why would I need an arterial blood gas test?
Arterial blood gas tests are simple tests that can provide a considerable amount of valuable diagnostic information. Your medical care providers can use this test for several different reasons, including:
- Finding the reason for breathing problems
- Evaluating the efficacy of current lung disease treatments
- Checking for metabolic disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea testing
- Evaluating the severity of asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
In most cases, an arterial blood gas test is just one of a suite of tests that are done to assess your condition or make a definitive diagnosis. Other common tests can include pulmonary function testing, oxygen qualification testing, radiology, or additional sleep medicine testing.
How does an ABG test work?
Your provider may begin by applying light pressure to your wrist arteries for several seconds. This test, the Allen test, verifies that you have normal blood flow to your hand. With a normal Allen test, your hand lightens significantly and grows colder but returns to normal shortly after your provider releases pressure on one of the arteries.
Next, your provider inserts a slender needle into the artery, typically the radial artery on the thumb side of your wrist, and then withdraws a small blood sample. They briefly apply pressure after withdrawing the needle and then place a small bandage over the needle puncture site.
How do I prepare for an arterial blood gas test?
Florida Lung & Sleep Associates provides you with preparation guidelines before your arterial blood gas test. Your provider asks about your current medications, including natural supplements, vitamins, and illicit drugs, before your test.
As an accredited facility through the College of American Pathologists, Florida Lung & Sleep Associates offers the best inefficient arterial blood gas testing. To make an appointment, call the office or click the online scheduling tool now.
