Point Of Care: Blood Gas Tests

Blinded Diagnostics specializes in the application of point-of-care diagnostic platforms for testing patients enrolled in clinical trials.

Point of Care blood gas testing includes a variety of tests that use a small venous blood sample. Test menus include PCO2, TCO2, HCO3, PH and sO2. Results available in minutes.

Blood gas measurements are used to evaluate your oxygenation and acid/base status. They are typically ordered if you have worsening symptoms of an acid/base imbalance, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath. Blood gases may be ordered along with other tests, such as electrolytes to determine if an electrolyte imbalance is present, glucose to evaluate blood sugar concentrations, and BUN and creatinine tests to evaluate kidney function.

The results of the other components of the tests for blood gases are interrelated and the results must be considered together. Certain combinations of results, if abnormal, may indicate a condition that is causing acidosis or alkalosis:

• Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a lower pH and an increased PCO2 and is due to respiratory depression – not enough oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. This can be caused by many things, including pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and over-sedation from narcotics.
• Respiratory alkalosis, characterized by a raised pH and a decreased PCO2, is due to over ventilation caused by hyperventilating, pain, emotional distress, or certain lung diseases that interfere with oxygen exchange.
• Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a lower pH and decreased HCO3-; the blood is too acidic on a metabolic/kidney level. Causes include diabetes, shock, and renal failure.
• Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated pH and increased HCO3- and is seen in hypokalemia, chronic vomiting (losing acid from the stomach), and sodium bicarbonate overdose.

See an expanded list of POC tests at www.pointofcaresearch.com