The Importance of an ABG or VBG in ICU

An ABG or VBG logistically gets me my electrolytes and everything else back a lot faster than my serum will come back. I think we talked a lot about pulse oximetry versus arterial blood gas. Be careful about poor waveforms, dysemical abademia, patients with dark skin,. coloration, it may be misleading. Don't forget the entitled CO2.