Specimen

Blood (syringe only)

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

0.5 ml in Lithium/Sodium Heparin syringes ONLY.  No air bubbles in 
syringe.

Delivery Instructions:

Deliver to laboratory immediately after collection.

Testing Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

10 minutes (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

          adults       pediatrics
pH      7.35-7.45      7.32-7.42
PCO2      35-45          30-40
pO2       80-90          80-100
BE        -2 to 2
HCO3      22-26 mEq/l
TCO2      24-32 mEq/l

Critical Care Critical Values:
pH           <7.20 and >7.60
pCO2 Adults  <20   and >70
     Peds    <20   and >55
pO2          <40

Special Care Nurseries Critical Values:
pH   <7.25 and >7.65
pCO2 <30   and >70

Comments:

If patient temperature is noted on requisition, blood gas will be 
corrected for temperature, otherwise 37 degrees C will be assumed.  Any 
air drawn in with the sample must be expelled immediately.  Samples 
than contain greater than 25% air to sample volume ratio will not be 
analyzed.  All needles must be removed from the syringe before 
delivery.  If O2 flow, pulse oximetry and end tidal CO2 are noted on 
requisition, they will be recorded with the analyzed values.

Methodology:

Traditional Electrodes

CPT Code:

82803

See Additional Information:
Critical Care Critical Lab Values
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery