DAVISS LABORATORY and DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WITH NURSING IMPLICATIONS

(www.labdxtest.com)
www.beaumontlaboratory.com
Synonym/Acronym:
Arterial blood gases (ABGs), venous blood gases, capillary blood gases, cord blood gases.
Common Use:
To assess oxygenation and acid base balance.
Specimen:
Whole blood. Specimen volume and collection container may vary with collection method. See Intratest section
for specific collection instructions. Specimen should be tightly capped and transported in an ice slurry.
Normal Findings:
(Method: Selective electrodes for pH, Pco2 and Po2)

Blood Gas Value (pH)

Scalp

Arterial

Venous

Capillary
7.257.35

Birth, cord, full term

7.117.36

7.257.45

7.327.49

Adult/child

7.357.45

7.327.43

7.357.45

Note: SI units (conversion factor 1).

SI Units
SI Units
SI Units
(Convention
(Convention
(Convention
Arteri al Units Veno al Units Capilla al Units
Pco2
al
0.133)
us
0.133)
ry
0.133)
Scalp

4050 5.36.6 kPa

mm Hg
Birth,
3266 4.38.8 kPa
cord, full mm
term
Hg

27
49
mm
Hg

3.66.5 kPa

Newborn 3545 4.76 kPa

adult
mm
Hg

41
51
mm
Hg

5.46.8 kPa

2641 3.55.4 kPa

mm Hg

Po2
Scalp

SI Units
SI Units
SI Units
(Convention
(Convention
(Convention
Arteri al Units Venou al Units Capillar al Units
al
0.133)
s
0.133)
y
0.133)

2030 2.74 kPa

mm Hg

Birth,
cord,
full
term

824
mm
Hg

1.13.2 kPa

17
41
mm
Hg

01 hr

3385 4.411.3 kPa

mm
Hg

2.35.4 kPa

SI Units
SI Units
SI Units
(Convention
(Convention
(Convention
Arteri al Units Venou al Units Capillar al Units
Po2
al
0.133)
s
0.133)
y
0.133)
Greate 8095 10.612.6
20
2.76.5 kPa 8095 10.612.6
r than mm
kPa
49
mm Hg kPa
1 hr
Hg
mm
adult
Hg
Arterial
Venous
Capillary
Conventional & SI Conventional & SI Conventional & SI
HCO3
Units
Units
Units
Birth, cord, 1724 mmol/L
1724 mmol/L
N/A
full term
2 mo2 yr

1623 mmol/L

Adult

2226 mmol/L
O2 Sat
Birth, cord, full term

2428 mmol/L

1823 mmol/L

2428 mmol/L
1823 mmol/L
Arterial
Venous
Capillary
4090%
4070%

Adult/child

9599%
7075%
9598%
Arterial Conventional & SI Venous Conventional & SI
Tco2
Units mmol/L
Units mmol/L
Birth, cord, full 1322 mmol/L
1422 mmol/L
term
Adult/child
2229 mmol/L
Base Excess Arterial
Birth, cord, full term

2530 mmol/L
Conventional & SI Units
(10) (2) mmol/L

Adult/child

(2) (+3) mmol/L