I have to get an Arterial Blood Gas...REALLY SCARED!!!!!!!?!
Question: So, about the ABG, I heard its going to be EXTREMEMLYYYY PAINFUL!!!!! I passed out when I was just doing the regular blood tests, how am I gonna handle an ABG????!!!
Answers: So, about the ABG, I heard its going to be EXTREMEMLYYYY PAINFUL!!!!! I passed out when I was just doing the regular blood tests, how am I gonna handle an ABG????!!!
The worst thing that you can do is to anticipate the pain. As a respiratory therapist I do dozens of these on a daily basis. There is a product that is made of a numbing agent called Lidocaine. It's simular to the medicine that you dentist uses when he works on you teeth, however, it comes in a cream form and can be applied to the skin before the ABG is drawn. That way all you feel is a little pressure and that's it. I personally have had ABG's done to me and they just feel like a bee sting. Not really that bad. I even do kids as young as 6 years old and they get through it without anything to help them except a lolly and stickers at the end. You are going to be just fine, so don't borrow trouble and stop worrying.
Tell the Docs you have severe anxiety and they'll give you something to make it easier like some valium or xanax
I have done literally hundreds of ABGs and it can be done rather painlessly: You may want to ask if the RT or Lab person can use lidocaine cream ahead of time and ask for the most experienced person available. Most important is for YOU to not anticipate pain, that results in muscle rigidity and your anxiety level can actually make you suffer more than would otherwise be the case. I use an infant/pediatric ABG kit on delicate and thin folks, perhaps you can make this request, too. Do breathe normally and relax, relax, relax, look at something in the room other than watching what the technician is doing and focus your mind on a beautiful place.
before you give blood do 3 things drink 2 glasses of milk find an orange eat it and occupy your mind with peaceful thoughts