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The ABG full form is Arterial Blood Gas.
The Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test is a special type of blood test that checks the gas contents in your blood and other important parameters. This test is used to diagnose problems related to your heart, lungs, and kidneys that cause specific complications.
This blog discusses ABG test procedures and explains how it examines the various parameters of blood to compare with normal values and address specific health issues effectively.
What is the Full Form of ABG?
The full form of ABG is ‘Arterial Blood Gas’ where:
A stands for Arterial
B stands for Blood
G stands for Gas
In the ABG test, a therapist collects blood from an artery. The blood sample is tested to measure the extent of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases in the blood. The test also checks the pH value of the blood that indicates the balance of acid and bases in your blood.
During respiration, lungs help transport oxygen to organs through blood and remove the carbon dioxide generated. The ABG test checks the gas levels to determine whether the lungs supply adequate oxygen and remove adequate carbon dioxide to help all organs function properly.
The pH measurement is an indication of acidic or basic nature of blood. Any abnormal deviation indicates problems in the kidney.
ABG Full Form – Parameters Measured in ABG Test
The Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test measures certain blood parameters related to the proper functioning of your respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic processes. The test involves checking the following ABG parameters in the blood sample:
- Oxygen content (O2CT): The measurement of oxygen content indicates the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- Oxygen saturation (SaO2): It is the measurement of the extent of haemoglobin in the blood for carrying oxygen.
- Partial Pressure of Oxygen (PaO₂): This tells us how much oxygen is present in your blood after it moves from the lungs. It shows how well your lungs are passing oxygen into your bloodstream.
- Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (PaCO₂): This shows the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood. It helps doctors understand how well your body is getting rid of carbon dioxide through breathing.
- Blood pH Level: Your blood pH should stay between 7.35 and 7.45. This balance is important for your body to work properly—neither too acidic nor too alkaline.
- Bicarbonate (HCO3): Bicarbonate is formed as a part of the metabolism process. The bicarbonate level is related to the PaCO2 and pH values.
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When is the ABG Test Performed?
Healthcare professionals recommend ABG tests to evaluate the parameters and diagnose specific health issues like acute respiratory trouble, which may happen due to extremely low oxygen levels in the blood due to lung problems.
The test results also indicate renal failure when your kidneys cannot remove acids from the blood into the urine, causing the blood to become acidic.
Doctors also use the ABG test to check how treatments for your lung problems work and whether you need extra oxygen support to increase your oxygen level and ease your breathing difficulties.
ABG Test Normal Values
The National Institute of Health has specified values that indicate the normal range of parameters measured through the ABG test. The normal values for different components of the ABG test are given in the table below.
ABG Test Normal Values
| Parameter | Normal Values |
|---|---|
| O2CT | 15% – 23% per 100 ml of blood |
| SaO₂ | 95% – 100% |
| PaO₂ | 75 – 100 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) |
| PaCO₂ | 35 – 45 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) |
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| HCO₃ | 22 – 26 milliequivalents per litre (mEq/L) |
Conclusion
The full form of ABG is Arterial Blood Gas. This test measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels in arterial blood. It is a useful test to get an idea how well the lungs deliver oxygen to the body. This diagnostic indicates any abnormalities in respiratory, metabolic, and kidney conditions and helps in effective medical treatments.ABG Full Form
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ABG Full Form FAQs
Is it difficult to collect blood samples from arteries for the ABG test?
It's difficult to collect blood samples from an artery compared to a vein because arteries remain deeper in our body and are surrounded by nerves.
What are the blood gases?
The blood gases refer to oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolved in the blood.
What does a normal pH level of blood signify?
The normal pH level of blood is 7.35-7.45. It signifies that blood is very close to neutral but slightly basic.
What can be the effect of low oxygen levels in the blood?
The low oxygen level in the blood can damage many organs in the body, especially the brain and heart, due to less oxygen supply.
What is the A/G ratio in a blood test?
The A/G ratio stands for the albumin to globulin ratio. It compares the amount of albumin (a protein made by the liver) to globulin (another group of proteins). This test helps check how well your liver and kidneys are working and can also show if you're missing any important nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
