Are ABGs, Arterial Blood Gases an invasive procedure?

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I am stumped on this one. It is going to be an exam question. I say yes, because I looked in the internet but I am not sure about this one. What do you say? Thanks for the reply

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Specializes in ICU.

O2 sats are non-invasive ABG's are not only invasive but hurt - A LOT!!

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I am stumped on this one. It is going to be an exam question. I say yes, because I looked in the internet but I am not sure about this one. What do you say? Thanks for the reply

Depends on whether it's a needle stick or art line draw.

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Definately Invasive. If they have an art line that is an invasive line and can be very painful even when local is used.

ABG's via a an arterial stab are also invasive, and as the earlier post suggests, very painful. Oxygen Sat can be accurately read from a non invasive finger probe if there is good circulation, but when the numbers aren't looking good most peopel will want a gas before changing management, eg intubating.

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

The arterial sample for blood gases gives you a clearer picture of why the sats are off, many times you need to know this before doing certain things. Just wait till you get to your acid-base lectures. They're a hoot! I had pages and pages of notes of nothing but examples: here's the numbers, the instructor would give us a second or two then tell us what the condition was, and a short explanation of the case history. ... Sorry about the tangent!

-Indy

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I am stumped on this one. It is going to be an exam question. I say yes, because I looked in the internet but I am not sure about this one. What do you say? Thanks for the reply

yes it is.

you can introduce an infection at the site and damage nerves. you could also cause bleeding.

a pulse ox on a finger is NOT. you are not 'invading' the body and there is no risk of injury.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I am stumped on this one. It is going to be an exam question. I say yes, because I looked in the internet but I am not sure about this one. What do you say? Thanks for the reply

Anything that pierces the integument is invasive, and even some things that don't.

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