An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the levels of oxygen and
carbon dioxide in the blood to find out how well the lungs are working. An ABG
test checks how well the lungs can move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon
dioxide from the blood.
As blood passes through the lungs, oxygen moves into the blood
while carbon dioxide moves out of the blood into the airspace of the lungs. An
ABG test uses blood drawn from an artery, where the oxygen and carbon dioxide
levels can be measured before they enter body tissues and become changed. An
ABG test measures for values of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and/or pH that are not
normal, which can be caused by changes in:
- Lung function.
- Heart function and
blood flow.
- Kidney function.
- How well the body uses
food for energy (metabolism).
- The use of some medicines.
An arterial blood gas test is often done for a person who is in the
hospital because of severe injury or illness.
