Arterial Blood Gases: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is done to:
- Check for severe breathing problems and lung diseases, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- See how well treatment for lung diseases is working.
- Find out if you need extra oxygen or help with breathing (mechanical ventilation).
- Find out if you are receiving the right amount of oxygen when you are using oxygen in the hospital.
- Measure the acid-base level in the blood of people who have heart failure, kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes, sleep disorders, severe infections, or after a drug overdose.
| Last updated: | June 17, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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