To preserve ABG sample integrity, which practice is recommended?

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Multiple Choice

To preserve ABG sample integrity, which practice is recommended?

Arterial blood gas values can drift after collection because blood cells continue to metabolize, altering pH and gas tensions. Cooling the sample slows this metabolism, helping preserve the true pH, pCO2, and pO2 until analysis. Keeping the sample on ice is, therefore, the recommended practice to maintain ABG integrity during transport and before testing. Exposing the sample to light isn’t a method that preserves ABG values, and transporting or storing at body temperature would speed up metabolic changes and distort the results. While analyzing promptly is important, icing provides the best protection when there’s any delay.

Arterial blood gas values can drift after collection because blood cells continue to metabolize, altering pH and gas tensions. Cooling the sample slows this metabolism, helping preserve the true pH, pCO2, and pO2 until analysis. Keeping the sample on ice is, therefore, the recommended practice to maintain ABG integrity during transport and before testing. Exposing the sample to light isn’t a method that preserves ABG values, and transporting or storing at body temperature would speed up metabolic changes and distort the results. While analyzing promptly is important, icing provides the best protection when there’s any delay.

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