Question:
Please tell me about this arterial blood gas test!!!!! What does it feel like?

Hello, I just found out that my surgeon requires an arterial blood gas test. I did some snooping around on the internet to see what the heck this was and OH MY GOD! Now I'm scared by this so much that I may not have this surgery now. Can I please get some input about what this test was like? How bad does it hurt? A needle in my artery sounds horrific. Help!    — [Anonymous] (posted on April 3, 2001)

April 2, 2001
Respiratory therapy or lab personnel usually select the artery on the inside of your wrist (where you feel your pulse) for arterial blood gases. In the hospital where I work, the procedure calls for a 25 gauge needle, which is very small...you have the right to ask that the person drawing your blood gas use nothing larger than a 25 gauge needle :-) The small needle helps to make this a slightly uncomfortable, but not terrible, experience...and they only take a tiny amount of blood, so the procedure is over very quickly. I thought that it was no more uncomfortable than having labs drawn from the inside of my elbow and less uncomfortable than getting my finger stuck for labs in the past. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

April 3, 2001
I panicked over the thought of ABG's because I am asthmatic and have had them drawn many times (mostly when I was younger). This time - it was sooooooooo easy. It was easier than having my blood drawn. I told the Respiratory Therapist that I was quite nervous and then I actually started to cry I was so scared. After I was done, I couldn't believe I had gotten so worked up over it. Good luck!
   — T.L. S.

April 4, 2001
I HAD THIS DONE JUST LAST WEEK AND I WAS SO WORKED UP OVER ALL THE HORROR STORIES THAT I WAS SICK AS A DOG WHEN I WENT IN TO GET IT DONE...BUT I WAS BLESSED CAUSE I HAD A NURSE WHO REALLY KNEW THERE STUFF..HE TOLD ME THAT IF THE ONE DOING THE TEST HIT A NERVE THEN IT WOULD REALLY HURT..BUT IF THEY TOOK THERE TIME AND DID IT LIKE THEY WERE TRAINED THEN IT WOULD BE NO MORE THEN IF THEY WERE DRAWING BLOOD THE NORMAL WAY...AND HE WAS RIGHT ...I DIDN'T FEEL A THING REALLY...(((HUGS)))
   — CINDY B.

April 4, 2001
I just had this done about 10 days ago, and because of what I read on this site, I was nervous about it. But relax, it was a piece of cake! I can see the advantage of having a skilled technician because the man that did mine stuck me one time, hit it right away and it was over before I knew it. It was a very small needle so I barely felt it and he did not move it around so it went quick and easy. I am not someone who is afraid of needles, but my veins never cooperate so getting blood drawn is something that I dread in general. This was so much better than the needle stick in my hand to get the blood for the other tests. You can do it!!! Kim
   — Kim D.

August 8, 2001
I have had this done a couple of different times - mostly if you are having chest pains is when they do it. It "stings" a little but nothing to be scared about! It is exactly like taking blood from a vein on the inside of your wrist. Don't sweat this one!
   — blank first name B.

August 17, 2001
I'm an RRT, the meanie who does ABG's. I actually had someone do one on me, many many years ago, while in school, so I COULD tell my patients how it would feel. It's actually a very simple blood test. The difference between it and other blood draws, is we stick an artery. We go by the feel of the pulse as opposed to a vein. It may sting a little, due to the many nerves around your artery, but you may also feel nothing at all. Either way, it is over in a snap. Not nearly bad enough to even THINK about not having the surgery. It's just about the easiest part of it. <smile> Good Luck! Manda
   — Manda B.

January 9, 2002
I was the same way!The night before I had it done I asked my father in law what it was and when he said that they take blood from an artery in your neck I thought he was teasing me!Then when I went inI discovered he was wasnt teasing, but he was wrong.The technition said he would never consider taking blood from there and kept chuckling at that idea.In actuality, the test wasnt bad at all - I should know- I had it done twice that day because he didnt get enough the first time. the second time was even less painful than the first.Really, It will be okay :)
   — Stephanie H.

March 23, 2002
I just had this test done last week.The nurse was taking the blood from my right wrist and she told me to tap my left index finger on the table while she was drawing the blood. At first she would not tell me why I had to do this but when it was over she told me that it helps to do someting else when the needle goes in, it taked your mind away from the stick. It really did work for me.
   — monique C.

November 10, 2002
I have had this done 5 times I think. My experiences varied a little. First time easy but needed it done over again for another test and a "hot shot" supervisor rushed in and promply hit a nerve - which was rather a "jolt". Next time the tech gave me a little something to numb area. Felt nothing. On the next occasin- I asked the tech to give me some of the numbing stuff - but she said please let me try without it - and it did not hurt and she said she felt it was easier to do without the numbing fluid (lidocain?)first-she could feel the artery better. The last time I did not luck out - took the tech 2 or 3 tries. Ached a little- but I was mostly nervous watching her look uncomfortable. If I draw her for yet another blood gas test- I think I will come back another day. But it is no big deal- and as you can read - I tell the truth. We are so lucky to have wls -so many people can't- maybe that thought will put this blood test in proper prespective. But I still close my eyes -so call me "chicken".
   — charlene M.

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