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  1 0 An arterial blood gas (ABG) hurts about as much as getting an IV started. Although, some folks use a little bit of subcutaneous anesthetic (lidocaine) before they poke you for the ABG, which might help a little bit (either way you feel a poke). If you're relatively thin and you have a bounding Radial artery pulse it should only take one attempt. If you have bigger arms because you're a heavier set individual, it may take more than one attempt, which could hurt more. Overall, it's not so bad. three_fourths answered in Health & Fitness about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I went through hell getting one during an e.r. visit for bronchitis. I agree with three-fourths that it is similar to getting an i.v. started. It really depends on the skill of the person doing it. If they get it on the first try, it is easy. If they have to move the needle around for a bit to hit a vein, it is hell. vinogatito answered in Health & Fitness about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I am a Respiratory Therapist. One of the things that I do is draw the ABG's. In all honesty it depends on you and the RT that draws you. What the other person commented is pretty much what I find to be the case with the exception of the lidocaine. You can ask for it, but it is not common practice to use it. I have never seen it used, but most patients I perform ABG's on are in a critical setting in the hospital. An ABG is a very important tool that is used to check your pH, CaO2, PaO2, and HCO3. The doctor can assess your oxygenation, ventilation, and tell if you are having metabolic or respiratory issues. Depending on what your issues are, if they think it is important to check any of those things I mentioned, I would say go for it. You can google indications for an ABG if you want to be certain you fall into the category for it being necessary. Best of luck. baybay73 answered in Health & Fitness about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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