Tell me about your experience with the Arterial Blood Gas test !

Just about all of us have surrendered to the dreaded Arterial Blood Gas test.. If you had the test please tell me your story. I will be having this test next week and I want to know what I'm up for.

Did it hurt as bad as folks claim.. ?

Thanks in advance, Hayley

It hurt, but I've had worse pain from all kinds of other things. The pain was deep in my wrist, a sort of ache. And it faded in a couple of hours.

The technician performing the test offered me something topical for the pain but warned me it wouldn't mask much of it, so I declined. I think she had a fairly light touch. Really, it wasn't that bad.

Good luck

I don't know how bad folks claim it hurts, because I did not know anyone who had one done before I had mine, but it definitely DOES hurt!  The pain, however, is fairly short-lived and does not require pain medication other than perhaps some Tylenol for lingering discomfort afterward.

Lora

It hurts like h*ll!!!!!! I had to have one done when I ended up in emergercy with CHF.  The wanted another and I refused, the nurse told me I could refuse!

What is CHF ?

Congestive heart failure maybe lol ?

LOL Yes it is congestive hear failure, sry...

they did mine after i was under in surgery. i woke to a super big purple bruise on my wrist

 

Unfortunately it does hurt like crazy.  On top of the pain I had ladies in TRAINING trying to draw my blood.  After 3 attempts I lost my patience.  I  looked at the person overseeing the trainees and told her either she did it, and she only had 1 chance, or I was leaving and she could explain to my surgeon why the tests were not done.

You will make it through and it will be well worth the pain to get the approval for the surgery.

 

I've drawn many ABGs as part of my career. I always warn people it hurts worse than a regular blood draw, but after we're finished, many have had many have said it wasn't nearly as bad as they anticipated. It's been described to me as feeling like nothing more than a pinch or tingle to an ache to a burning sensation. I've never had anyone tell me it was unbearable.

A good collector will take the time to really feel for the pulse first, then make a nice smooth quick stick, get the sample and be out in a matter of seconds. Pressure will be held for 5 minutes at the puncture site immediately following the draw.