What is an ABG Arterial Blood Gas Drawn from artery-radial, brachial, femoral It is an invasive procedure. Caution must be taken with patient on anticoagulants. Helps differentiate oxygen deficiencies from primary ventilatory deficiencies from primary metabolic acid-base abnormalities
Epidemiology 6th leading cause of death in U.S. Number one Among the infectious diseases 6 million patients annually in US Incidence 5~10/1,000/year Mortality in OPD patients 1-5 % but Inpatients 25%, ICU 50-60%