ABG Test

I'm a RN --- ABG's are usually collected from the radial artery at your wrist. It's a pretty routine pre-op test to check oxygen, carbon dioxide, ph and bicarbonate levels in your blood. It might be a little more uncomfortable than getting your blood drawn from a vein -- just try to relax as much as you can. It should only take a few seconds with the needle (which is very small) and then pressure is applied to the area. I hope this helps!! You are going to do just fine.

I think I can definately handle this. Thanx for your help. I will be fine. Cheris

well i just got my test done a couple days ago in the inova fair oaks hospital the lady that did it was great she told me to lay down and she checked my wrists checked the arteries and she explained everything to me... and i was like ok please be fast and she said she would try just breath and stay really still... so i did and she went in and not to scare you because this is just be but she couldnt find my artery and kept hitting nerve endings she said and i was like please hurry and she said she would and she just needed a little blood so she did her thing finished and she said she was sorry she knew i was going to be a hard one when she checked my wrists but she didnt want to tell me lol so anywho it was all fine i lived but my wrist hurt all day lol........ but you will be fine im just a big baby and scared of needles.