Which of the following statements is true concerning capillary blood gases?

a. They can be drawn from an earlobe.
b. They coincide with arterial blood gases.
c. They can be drawn from a peripheral ar-tery.
d. They require the performance of an Allen test.

ANS: A
Capillary blood samples from an earlobe or the side of the heel can be substituted when arterial blood cannot be obtained, although the results may vary considerably from arterial blood gas values.