Final answer:
ABGs are collected from the radial artery and assess oxygenation and ventilation in patients experiencing respiratory distress. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, following the principles of Dalton's and Henry's law, which explain the movement of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) are typically collected to assess the levels of oxygenation and ventilation in a patient in respiratory distress. These measurements are vital for evaluating a patient's respiratory function and determining the appropriate treatment. The site from where ABGs can be obtained is a puncture in the radial artery. The radial artery is commonly used because it is easily accessible, and its location allows for straightforward compression to stop any bleeding after the sample is taken.
Regarding external respiration, the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where it comes into contact with the respiratory membrane of the alveoli. Here, gas exchange occurs, and oxygen is loaded onto hemoglobin within erythrocytes to form oxygenated blood, which is then returned to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
Blood gas exchange is a crucial physiological process where oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is expelled, primarily occurring in the alveoli of the lungs. The behavior of gases during this exchange can be described by Dalton's law and Henry's law, which dictate that gases move from areas of high pressure to low pressure, allowing for the diffusion of gases across the respiratory membrane.