What is a typical criterion for the rejection of an arterial blood gas (ABG) specimen?

The presence of air bubbles in an arterial blood gas (ABG) specimen is a typical criterion for rejection because air can interfere with the accuracy of the test results. When air bubbles are present, they can alter the partial pressures of gases in the sample, leading to erroneous measurements of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. This contamination can result in falsely elevated or decreased values, which can significantly impact patient management and treatment decisions. Therefore, maintaining an anaerobic environment is crucial for accurate ABG analysis, and any specimen that cannot ensure this, such as one with visible air bubbles, may be deemed unacceptable.