Arterial blood gas tests show how well the lungs deliver oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The body's cells use oxygen to generate energy and produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. Measuring the amount of these gases dissolved in a person's blood tells us the effectiveness of their breathing.

Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms of lung disease, such as a chronic cough or shortness of breath. These tests are also used to monitor the effectiveness of oxygen therapy or other breathing treatments. Arterial blood gas results show how acidic the blood is, which can relate to various health problems.

Blood drawing for arterial blood gases may take place in a doctor's office, laboratory, or hospital. Blood for this test is drawn from an artery. An artery is a vessel that carries oxygen rich blood from the heart and lungs toward the body cells. Many people have had blood drawn for other tests or a blood donation. This blood, however, almost always comes from a vein. A vein is a vessel bringing blood back from body cells toward the heart. Because arteries run deeper under the skin, drawing blood from them is a little more uncomfortable. Even so, the entire procedure will only last a few minutes.

A local painkiller may be injected at the puncture sight before the procedure to decrease discomfort. The most common site is for blood drawing is the wrist. Since blood pressure is stronger in arteries than in veins, the puncture may take longer to close. A person should apply firm pressure to the sight for 3 to 5 minutes following the test. After bandaging, the provider may ask the person to rest quietly for an additional 15 minutes.

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