Arterial Blood Gases

ABGs, Blood Gases

How It Feels

Collecting blood from an artery is more painful than collecting it from a vein because the arteries are deeper and are protected by nerves.

• Most people feel a brief, sharp pain as the needle to collect the blood sample enters the artery. If you are given a local anesthetic, you may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture, or you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin.
• You may feel more pain if the person drawing your blood has a hard time finding your artery, your artery is narrowed, or if you are very sensitive to pain.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: June 17, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology
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