Which function do arterial blood gas tests primarily assess?

Arterial blood gas tests are primarily used to evaluate the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, making it essential for assessing a patient's respiratory and metabolic status. These tests provide critical information about lung function and the body's ability to exchange gases effectively.

Understanding these gas levels helps healthcare professionals determine whether the body is adequately oxygenating blood (via the levels of oxygen) and whether carbon dioxide is being effectively removed (via the levels of carbon dioxide). Such assessments are vital in diagnosing and managing conditions like respiratory failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and various metabolic disorders.

Other options such as blood pressure regulation, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose control relate to different testing methods and are not the focus of arterial blood gas tests. Each of those areas is assessed with distinct tests aimed at evaluating specific physiological parameters not measured by arterial blood gases.