UCSF Clinical Laboratories Test Directory

Ordering

Ordering Recommendations

Follow the link for information about Blood Gas Panels that contain this test.

Available Stat

Yes

Performing Lab

Parnassus, Mission Bay and Mt Zion Chemistry

Performed

Test available 24 hours per day 7 days per week

Methodology

Amperometry
Oxygen consumption (O2 electrode with glucose oxidase)
Radiometer ABL 90 FLEX Plus

Reported

STAT 1 hour, Routine 4 hours

Additional Information

Glucose results from whole blood samples tested on the blood gas analyzers are based on direct measurements of glucose in the water phase of the samples and ordinarily provide values similar to those obtained by measuring plasma glucose concentrations with the general chemistry analyzer in the central laboratory.

Synonyms

Diabetes mellitus
ARTBGL
VENBGL
CVBGL
MVBGL
CAPBG
Blood gas
ABG

Collection

Sample Type

Heparinized whole blood

Collect

Plastic blood gas syringe containing approximately 70 IU dry heparin in a 3 mL syringe or 23 IU in a 1 mL syringe - or a capillary tube coated with 70 IU heparin (Radiometer Clinitube).

Amount to Collect

3 mL blood

Preferred Volume

3 mL blood

Minimum Volume

1 mL blood

Remarks

Arterial puncture:
Due to the risk of arterial damage and subsequent distal ischemia, prior to puncturing an artery the RN assesses the collateral circulation. If the radial artery is to be punctured, then the pulse of the ulnar artery is assessed. If the dorsalis pedis artery is to be accessed then the posterial tibial pulse is assessed and likewise if the posterial tibial approach is used the dorsalis pedis pulse is assessed. The modified Allens's test may be used to assess collateral circulation of the ulnar artery before a radial artery puncture, but it does not always ensure adequate flow. A Doppler ultrasound flow indicator may be used to verify collateral circulation. If the collateral circulation is poor and the RN cannot palpate a pulse then the physician should be notified before proceeding. If for any reason the circulation is compromised to the extremity being assessed for arterial puncture then the physician should be notified prior to proceeding.

1. Palpate the radial artery and identify the site where the pulse is the strongest. Avoid areas with overlying veins to prevent venous admixture.
2. Prepare the patient's skin with an alcohol or 2% chlorhexidine wipe/swab.
3. Place two or three fingers along the course of the artery both to locate its position and direction, and to stabilize it.
4. Penetrate the skin smoothly holding the needle at 30-60 degree angle with the needle bevel up and pointed proximally. The angle of the “butterfly" IV catheter should not exceed 45° for pediatric patients.
5. Re-establish the position and direction of the artery by palpation.
6. Gently and slowly advance the needle or “butterfly", aiming directly for the area of maximum pulsation.
7. When the arterial lumen has been entered, less resistance is felt and blood appears in the syringe above the needle hub.
8. Obtain required amount of arterial blood for test(s).
9. If blood is not obtained on first attempt, withdraw the needle to just below the skin surface and advance needle at same angle but at 1 mm to either side of previous attempt.
10. Place the 2x2 gauze over the site of the puncture then withdraw the needle from the artery. Press firmly at the site for at least five minutes, or until the bleeding stops. Apply bandage or pressure dressing.
11. Expel any air bubble in the syringe with air filter cap placed on specimen syringe.
12. Label sample with patient's name, ID number and DOB.

Venous samples:
1. Avoid excessive venous stasis from prolonged tourniquet application or clenching of the fist prior to sample collection.
2. For central line draws make sure to waste a full red top tube then draw via the blood gas syringe as noted above.
3. Fill syringe completely, remove needle (in peripheral draws), cap sample, expel all bubbles (while holding syringe upright) until blood hits the top of cap.
4. Label sample with patient's name, ID number and DOB.

Capillary Samples:
1. The following are recommended sampling sites: earlobe, fingertip, big toe, heel. The heel and big toe are more suitable for use on neonates and infants.
2. Warm the area or puncture site for 5 to 10 minutes prior to actual sampling. This accelerates flow for blood to be representative of general status of patient.
3. Make a puncture using a lancet or similar device. Do not squeeze the area to avoid tissue juice from mixing into blood sample.
4. Wipe off the first drop of blood. Take the sample from the center of the second drop of blood and hold the capillary at a slightly downward angle for an uninterrupted blood flow. Avoid getting air bubbles in the specimen.
5. Refrain from squeezing or milking the puncture site as this may result in faulty measurements or cause hemolysis of blood sample and cause elevated K+ readings.
6. Apply accompanying caps to both ends of the capillary tube and mix the sample with the heparin immediately after collection to prevent blood from clotting. The manufacturer recommends the use of a mixing wire and magnet for capillary samples.
7. Label sample with patient's name, ID and DOB.

Deliver samples immediately to lab for testing. Samples delivered to the lab >30 minutes after collection may yield erroneous results.

Unacceptable Conditions

Delivered to lab > 30 min after collection

Processing

Test Code

NGLU

LAB4471: Arterial source

LAB4472: Venous source

LAB4473: Central venous source

LAB4474: Mixed venous source

LAB4475: Capillary source

Test Group

Glucose

Performing Lab

Parnassus, Mission Bay and Mt Zion Chemistry

Preferred Volume

3 mL blood

Minimum Volume

1 mL blood

Unacceptable Conditions

Delivered to lab > 30 min after collection

Result Interpretation

Units

mg/dL

Reference Interval

NOTE: These are non-fasting reference intervals.

Pediatrics:

< 1 month	55-115 mg/dL
1 month - 1 year	55-123 mg/dL
1 year - 17 years	56-145 mg/dL

Adults (≥ 18 years old):

Normal	70-199 mg/dL
Impaired glucose tolerance	140-199 mg/dL*
Diabetes mellitus	> 199 mg/dL**

* measured 2 hour postprandial
** AND Sx of diabetes such as polyuria, polydipsia or unexplained weight loss

Reference range adopted from current plasma/serum reference ranges for non-fasting glucose.

Critical Values

Neonates: < 30 mg/dL or > 170 mg/dL
≥ 1 month old: < 50 mg/dL or > 500 mg/dL

Additional Information

Glucose results from whole blood samples tested on the blood gas analyzers are based on direct measurements of glucose in the water phase of the samples and ordinarily provide values similar to those obtained by measuring plasma glucose concentrations with the general chemistry analyzer in the central laboratory.

Administrative

CPT Codes

82947

LOINC Codes

2339-0

Complete View

Available Stat

Yes

Ordering Recommendations

Follow the link for information about Blood Gas Panels that contain this test.

Test Code

NGLU

LAB4471: Arterial source

LAB4472: Venous source

LAB4473: Central venous source

LAB4474: Mixed venous source

LAB4475: Capillary source

Test Group

Glucose

Performing Lab

Parnassus, Mission Bay and Mt Zion Chemistry

Performed

Test available 24 hours per day 7 days per week

Methodology

Amperometry
Oxygen consumption (O2 electrode with glucose oxidase)
Radiometer ABL 90 FLEX Plus

Remarks

Arterial puncture:
Due to the risk of arterial damage and subsequent distal ischemia, prior to puncturing an artery the RN assesses the collateral circulation. If the radial artery is to be punctured, then the pulse of the ulnar artery is assessed. If the dorsalis pedis artery is to be accessed then the posterial tibial pulse is assessed and likewise if the posterial tibial approach is used the dorsalis pedis pulse is assessed. The modified Allens's test may be used to assess collateral circulation of the ulnar artery before a radial artery puncture, but it does not always ensure adequate flow. A Doppler ultrasound flow indicator may be used to verify collateral circulation. If the collateral circulation is poor and the RN cannot palpate a pulse then the physician should be notified before proceeding. If for any reason the circulation is compromised to the extremity being assessed for arterial puncture then the physician should be notified prior to proceeding.

1. Palpate the radial artery and identify the site where the pulse is the strongest. Avoid areas with overlying veins to prevent venous admixture.
2. Prepare the patient's skin with an alcohol or 2% chlorhexidine wipe/swab.
3. Place two or three fingers along the course of the artery both to locate its position and direction, and to stabilize it.
4. Penetrate the skin smoothly holding the needle at 30-60 degree angle with the needle bevel up and pointed proximally. The angle of the “butterfly" IV catheter should not exceed 45° for pediatric patients.
5. Re-establish the position and direction of the artery by palpation.
6. Gently and slowly advance the needle or “butterfly", aiming directly for the area of maximum pulsation.
7. When the arterial lumen has been entered, less resistance is felt and blood appears in the syringe above the needle hub.
8. Obtain required amount of arterial blood for test(s).
9. If blood is not obtained on first attempt, withdraw the needle to just below the skin surface and advance needle at same angle but at 1 mm to either side of previous attempt.
10. Place the 2x2 gauze over the site of the puncture then withdraw the needle from the artery. Press firmly at the site for at least five minutes, or until the bleeding stops. Apply bandage or pressure dressing.
11. Expel any air bubble in the syringe with air filter cap placed on specimen syringe.
12. Label sample with patient's name, ID number and DOB.

Venous samples:
1. Avoid excessive venous stasis from prolonged tourniquet application or clenching of the fist prior to sample collection.
2. For central line draws make sure to waste a full red top tube then draw via the blood gas syringe as noted above.
3. Fill syringe completely, remove needle (in peripheral draws), cap sample, expel all bubbles (while holding syringe upright) until blood hits the top of cap.
4. Label sample with patient's name, ID number and DOB.

Capillary Samples:
1. The following are recommended sampling sites: earlobe, fingertip, big toe, heel. The heel and big toe are more suitable for use on neonates and infants.
2. Warm the area or puncture site for 5 to 10 minutes prior to actual sampling. This accelerates flow for blood to be representative of general status of patient.
3. Make a puncture using a lancet or similar device. Do not squeeze the area to avoid tissue juice from mixing into blood sample.
4. Wipe off the first drop of blood. Take the sample from the center of the second drop of blood and hold the capillary at a slightly downward angle for an uninterrupted blood flow. Avoid getting air bubbles in the specimen.
5. Refrain from squeezing or milking the puncture site as this may result in faulty measurements or cause hemolysis of blood sample and cause elevated K+ readings.
6. Apply accompanying caps to both ends of the capillary tube and mix the sample with the heparin immediately after collection to prevent blood from clotting. The manufacturer recommends the use of a mixing wire and magnet for capillary samples.
7. Label sample with patient's name, ID and DOB.

Deliver samples immediately to lab for testing. Samples delivered to the lab >30 minutes after collection may yield erroneous results.

Collect

Plastic blood gas syringe containing approximately 70 IU dry heparin in a 3 mL syringe or 23 IU in a 1 mL syringe - or a capillary tube coated with 70 IU heparin (Radiometer Clinitube).

Amount to Collect

3 mL blood

Sample Type

Heparinized whole blood

Preferred Volume

3 mL blood

Minimum Volume

1 mL blood

Unacceptable Conditions

Delivered to lab > 30 min after collection

Units

mg/dL

Reference Interval

NOTE: These are non-fasting reference intervals.

Pediatrics:

< 1 month	55-115 mg/dL
1 month - 1 year	55-123 mg/dL
1 year - 17 years	56-145 mg/dL

Adults (≥ 18 years old):

Normal	70-199 mg/dL
Impaired glucose tolerance	140-199 mg/dL*
Diabetes mellitus	> 199 mg/dL**

* measured 2 hour postprandial
** AND Sx of diabetes such as polyuria, polydipsia or unexplained weight loss

Reference range adopted from current plasma/serum reference ranges for non-fasting glucose.

Critical Values

Neonates: < 30 mg/dL or > 170 mg/dL
≥ 1 month old: < 50 mg/dL or > 500 mg/dL

Synonyms

Diabetes mellitus
ARTBGL
VENBGL
CVBGL
MVBGL
CAPBG
Blood gas
ABG

Reported

STAT 1 hour, Routine 4 hours

Additional Information

Glucose results from whole blood samples tested on the blood gas analyzers are based on direct measurements of glucose in the water phase of the samples and ordinarily provide values similar to those obtained by measuring plasma glucose concentrations with the general chemistry analyzer in the central laboratory.

CPT Codes

82947

LOINC Codes

2339-0