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.