The gases present in the blood that are a result of use of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide during metabolism; the blood is analyzed for evidence of deviations (acidosis or alkalosis) from normal levels.
Gases dissolved in the blood that maintain its acid-base balance.
A laboratory test that measures the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and determines the acidity; also known as arterial blood gas analysis. A sample for blood gases is taken from an artery, usually in the wrist, the groin, or the arm. Blood gas analysis is useful for evaluating diseases that affect breathing, such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and tuberculosis. It also provides information about the effectiveness of oxygen therapy. Information about the acidity of the blood provides a measure of kidney function and can also provide information that can be used to assess the body’s metabolism.
A phrase used to describe the analysis of a sample of arterial blood for measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation, pH (a marker of acidity), bicarbonate, and base excess (the amount of acid required to return a unit volume of the blood to normal pH). These values are vital in monitoring the severity of illness in patients receiving intensive care or who have severe respiratory illness, as they provide a guide to the effectiveness of oxygen transport between the outside air and the body tissues. Thus they are both a guide to whether the patient is being optimally ventilated, whether by breathing spontaneously or being artificially ventilated, and also a general guide to the severity of their illness.
The content of dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen in plasma. Levels of these gases vary in response to many diseases that affect respiration (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, congestive heart failure, and ketoacidosis).
The measurement of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the bloodstream is a vital process. It involves assessing the acidity-alkalinity levels (pH) and bicarbonate levels as well. A sample of blood is extracted from an artery, typically from the wrist or groin, to perform this test. It serves as a valuable tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory failure. The levels of bicarbonate and acidity provide insights into the body’s acid-base balance, which can be disrupted in various conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, aspirin poisoning, hyperventilation, or repeated vomiting. Additionally, continuous monitoring of blood oxygen levels can be achieved through the use of an oximeter, eliminating the need for frequent blood samples.