ABGs means arterial blood gases. This blood test measures oxygen, carbon dioxide and how acidic the blood is. It helps assess breathing and the body’s acid balance. The sample comes from an artery, usually at the wrist.
Oxygen and carbon dioxide results help assess how the lungs take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. The pH describes blood acidity. The report may also show bicarbonate, a substance that helps keep the acid balance steady.
No. A finger sensor estimates the oxygen level in your blood. It does not measure carbon dioxide or blood acidity. A blood gas test can provide that additional information.
Usually not. Several conditions can cause abnormal results. Clinicians consider the measurements together with symptoms and other tests to work out what is happening.

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