Blood Gases in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

Blood gases provide a reading of the amount of oxygen and the acid/base balance in the blood. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

History

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the lungs. Blood goes through the lungs, picking up oxygen and depositing carbon dioxide. Arterial blood gases (ABG) define the systemic effects of COPD.

Identification

• Blood gases are taken from an artery instead of a vein. Venous blood has traveled throughout the body and released oxygen. Arterial blood shows the amount of oxygen available for distribution.

Features

• Components of blood gases include the partial pressure of oxygen (ability of the oxygen to move in the blood) and the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (ability to remove the carbon dioxide).

Significance

• Arterial blood gases are a much deeper draw than a vein and may require local numbing of the site for pain control, according to the American Thoracic Society.

Function

• Oxygen levels in blood gases are used as part of the criteria in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to determine the need for oxygen support, according to pulmonologychannel.com.