Things We Do for No Reason™: Arterial blood gas testing to screen for hypercarbic respiratory failure.

Venous blood gases (VBGs) are safe and effective at screening for hypercarbic respiratory failure. Multiple studies have validated that a VBG with a PvCO2 less than 45 reliably rules out hypercarbia. The use of VBGs for the initial screening of hypercarbia when hypercarbic respiratory failure is suspected can reduce the overall use of arterial blood gases which are more painful and take more time and expertise to perform.