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Test Code POTASSIUM, PLAS/SER Potassium, Plasma or Serum

Performing Laboratory

NRL-Chemistry

Methodology

Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE)

Note: This test is also available as part of #BMP Basic Metabolic Panel, #COMP Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, #LYTES Electrolyte Panel, and  #RENAL Renal Function Panel. See Common Panel Test Combinations in Special Instructions to avoid duplicate test requests when multiple panels are ordered

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
  
Preferred:

Specimen Type: Plasma

Container/Tube: Light-green top (lithium heparin)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Spin down within 45 minutes of draw.

2. Avoid hemolysis.

3. Label specimen as plasma.

 

Alternate (Non-Hospital Patient):

Specimen Type: Serum

Container/Tube: Gold top, serum gel

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Spin down unopened (vacuum intact) tube within 45 minutes of draw.

2. Avoid hemolysis.

3. Label specimen as serum.

 

UNSPUN Extended Stability

Specimens for K+ only can be accepted UNSPUN for up to 4 hours after draw, provided they are in a Mint tube at room temperature. If a Comp, Basic or Renal panel is ordered, a Gray tube (Na Flouride/K Oxalate) must accompany the Mint to be used for Glucose testing. Cerner order should be CS Comp, CS Renal or CS Basic to get labels for the separate Glucose. 

Reference Values

3.5-5.1 mmol/L

Critical values (automatic call-back): ≤2.7 mmol/L or ≥6.0 mmol/L

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Turnaround Time:

STAT-45 minutes

Routine-shift

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerate

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84132

Special Instructions