When is it crucial to ensure there are no air bubbles in an ABG specimen?

In the context of collecting arterial blood gas (ABG) specimens, it is crucial to ensure there are no air bubbles in the specimen before transportation to the lab because air bubbles can cause inaccurate results. When air enters the sample, it can change the partial pressures of gases, specifically oxygen and carbon dioxide, leading to erroneous readings that do not accurately reflect the patient's respiratory and metabolic status.

Ensuring the absence of air bubbles is essential right after the collection and before sealing the specimen. If air is present, it should be addressed immediately. This is why it's emphasized at that stage—so proper steps can be taken to correct it before the sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis. Thus, focusing on the sample's condition before transportation is particularly significant, as any inaccuracies caused by the presence of air would compromise the integrity of the test results, making it difficult to provide the appropriate clinical care based on those results.