Intensive Care Nursing/Arterial Blood Sampling

Arterial Blood Gas Sampling Process

The collection of blood from an arterial cannula closed system.

Clinical Noteː Arterial lines are for sampling only, no medications are to be administered (ensure arterial line labelled to prevent incorrect use).

Indications For Sampling:
 * Determine acid/base balance, electrolytes, Haemoglobin, glucose levels
 * Blood test analysis
 * Measurement of respiratory gases on analysis of respiratory or ventilator changes
 * Assess the response of therapeutic interventions (such as electrolyte replacement, glucose or insulin administration)

Contraindications:
 * Rationale for sampling needs to be determined to prevent unnecessary levels of sampling and loss of blood.
 * If checking respiratory gases after ventilation change, ensure an appropriate time period has elapsed (15-20 minutes or follow your unit policy).
 * Legal and professional issues, such as consent or when practice limitations are in place.

Arterial Blood Gas Sample Process:

References:
 * AAGBI Safety Guideline: Arterial line blood sampling: preventing hyoglycaemic brain injury
 * Dougherty, L., & Lister, Sara. (2015). The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures (9th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley
 * Order of Draw for Multiple Tube Collections – Quest Laboratories

Note:this is not a formal guide or competency checklist for performing an arterial blood sample from a closed system

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