A blood gas analyzer machine measures the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and blood acidity (pHpH
pH
) in a whole-blood sample to evaluate a patient's breathing, lung function, and acid-base balance.
Core Functions & What It Measures
• pHpH
pH
(Acidity/Alkalinity): Measures the hydrogen ion concentration to show if the blood is too acidic or too basic.
• pO2pO sub 2
pO2
(Partial Pressure of Oxygen): Evaluates how well oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood.
• pCO2pCO sub 2
pCO2
(Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide): Evaluates how effectively the lungs are exhaling carbon dioxide (respiratory efficiency).
• Calculated Values: Uses primary measurements (via the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation) to derive bicarbonate (HCO3−HCO sub 3 raised to the negative power
HCO−3
) and base excess for metabolic status.