Question:
what is it?
does it hurt? how is it done? — k K. (posted on February 22, 2003)
February 22, 2003
Its called ABG for short and mean Arterial Blood Gas. They take blood from
your artery in your wrist area using a syringe and test the oxygen levels
in your blood. It does hurt a little, but its very necessary.
— thumpiez
February 22, 2003
It depends on who does it whether it hurts or not. Mine did not hurt, but
I've heard of others who thought it was terribly painful. So I have to
conclude it is the person that does it. The one that did mine took it
extremely slow. The man was so slow I thought he had turtle-itis, but I so
appreciated the fact he didn't hurt.
— Darlene P.
February 22, 2003
I had an ABD drawn pre-op. A respiratory therapist came down to the
hospital lab to draw the blood. Although the needle looked bigger than the
usual one (probably my imagination!), it did not hurt going in. It did
burn a little as she pulled the needle out. All in all, I've had regular
blood tests that hurt more. I agree that it depends on who does your test
and how easily they find your artery. You'll do fine. The way I looked at
it...I'm having surgery, I'm in for a lot more new and possibly painful
things, this is just another little blood test.
— Kristen S.
February 22, 2003
ABG*
— Kristen S.
February 22, 2003
As a nurse who worked on a cardiac floor,I drew a lot of ABGs over the
years. Some people said it hurt, others didn't find it too painful. I can
tell you from my experience, and the other nurses I worked with, that it is
NOT the person doing the test that is the cause of the pain. Some people
have arteries that are harder to hit than others. It is not like drawing
blood from a vein, where you put on a tourniquet and plump up the vein.
Sometimes the vessel moves or is just hard . Personally, I am not sure why
they are drawing blood gases before WLS. They don't even do that here
before cardiac surgery any more, and I live in a very medically
conservative area!
— koogy
February 22, 2003
I don't recall this being done at all before my first surgery (lap BPD/DS,
January 24, 2001). I got regular bloodwork done pre-op with an
average-sized needle. However, I did have blood gases routinely drawn in
the ICU after my emergency internal hernia/blockage surgery (November 30,
2002). It didn't hurt because they had already inserted a catheter in my
pelvic area while I was under for the surgery. They just lifted my gown,
inserted a needle (into the catheter, not my skin) and drew blood. It
really didn't hurt when the catheter was removed (I had one in my neck, too
- the works, man! LOL). There was just a lot of pressure applied to
ensure I didn't get a hemotoma. All the best to everyone and glad to be
here, (Lap BPD/DS with gallbladder removal, January 24, 2001 Emergency
open internal hernia/blockage/resection/BPD-DS revision/appendectomy (THE
WORKS), November 30, 2002 PREOP: 307 lbs/bmi 45 (5'10") now: 150
lbs/bmi 21)
— Teresa N.
February 23, 2003
Hi, k k: I don't suppose my surgeon felt it was necessary for me to have an
ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) test. I shocked that I didn't have to have one
because prior to my surgery, I suffered with Sleep Apnea, which is a
condition that affects your ability to breathe at night during sleep~and
causes loud snoring. I've heard that it is somewhat painful and really
depends on who is doing the test. Don't get all worked up about it because
it just might make it more uncomfortable when the time comes...Try to relax
and think about how FINE your new image will be. Trust that whatever is
necessary, will have to be done no matter what. It's all in how we prepare
ourselves MENTALLY!! By all means, don't let anyone discourage you from
asking questions either. Hope this eases your mind some!-Hadiyah
— yourdivaness
February 24, 2003
An ABG is an Arterial Blood Gas reading. Most times, when blood is drawn,
it is venal. Arterial blood will tell them exactly how much oxygen you are
getting and related information. It does hurt, I won't lie. The arteries
are deep in the middle of the arm, not close to the surface like the veins.
The key thing is to try to be very still and don't flinch. They have to
go really deep with the needle and if you flinch, they will just have to
pull it out and start again. Breathe deep and try to think of other things
and it will be over before long. Good luck!
— Becky K.
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