Arterial Blood Gas Collection Flashcards
8 cards from real Phlebotomy Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 8 Arterial Blood Gas Collection flashcards as text
The Allen test is performed before radial artery puncture to assess:
Answer: Adequacy of collateral circulation from the ulnar artery
The Allen test determines whether the ulnar artery can adequately perfuse the hand if the radial artery is damaged during arterial puncture, ensuring collateral circulation is sufficient.
What angle of needle insertion is recommended for radial artery puncture for ABG collection?
Answer: 45–60 degrees
A needle insertion angle of 45–60 degrees is recommended for radial artery puncture, providing the optimal approach to enter the artery at its depth without excessive angulation.
After collecting an ABG sample, the syringe should be gently rotated/rolled for at least 5 seconds before capping. This step ensures:
Answer: The heparin anticoagulant is thoroughly mixed with the blood
Rolling the syringe mixes the heparin anticoagulant throughout the blood sample, preventing clot formation that would interfere with blood gas analysis.
A patient presents with uncontrolled hypertension and is on anticoagulation therapy. When preparing to collect an ABG, the phlebotomist should recognize that anticoagulation therapy requires:
Answer: Applying pressure for an extended period (5–10 minutes or more) after collection
Patients on anticoagulants have impaired clotting; pressure must be held for a prolonged time (at least 5 minutes, often 10+ minutes) at the arterial puncture site to achieve hemostasis.
If an air bubble enters the ABG syringe during collection, the IMMEDIATE action should be to:
Answer: Expel the air bubble immediately before capping the syringe
Air bubbles must be expelled immediately because atmospheric air (high O2, low CO2) will equilibrate with the blood sample, falsely raising PO2 and lowering PCO2.
The preferred site for ABG collection in most adult patients is the:
Answer: Radial artery
The radial artery is preferred for ABG collection because it is superficial and easy to palpate, has collateral circulation from the ulnar artery, and complications can be quickly identified.
An ABG result shows pH 7.52, PCO2 28 mmHg, HCO3 22 mEq/L. This pattern is consistent with:
Answer: Respiratory alkalosis
pH 7.52 (alkalotic), low PCO2 (28 mmHg—hyperventilation), and normal bicarbonate indicate respiratory alkalosis, caused by excessive CO2 elimination.
After an ABG collection, which of the following complications should the phlebotomist monitor for BEFORE leaving the patient?
Answer: Hematoma formation, continued bleeding, and adequacy of distal pulse
Post-ABG, the phlebotomist must confirm hemostasis, check for hematoma, ensure there is no continued bleeding, and verify the distal pulse is intact before leaving.