Sign in →

Order Code LAB21 Potassium, Plasma or Serum

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC EPIC Test Code            Mnemomic
RV POTASSIUM LAB21 K

 

Useful For

Evaluation of electrolyte balance, cardiac arrhythmia, muscular weakness, hepatic encephalopathy, and renal failure

Specimen Requirements

Special Note:  Avoid hemolysis. Spin down specimen within two hours of draw.

 

Specimen Type: Plasma or Serum

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred:  Green-top (lithium heparin) gel tube 

Acceptable:  Plain, red-top tube or SST

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Pediatric (minimum) volume: 0.5 mL

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type                  Temperature                             Stability                             
Plasma or Serum Ambient 6 weeks
  Refrigerated (preferred) 6 weeks
  Frozen 1 year

Reference Values

3.4 – 5.1 mmol/L

 

Critical values (automatic call-back):

  • Low: < 3.0 mmol/L
  • High: > 5.8 mmol/L
  • 0-4 wks: > 8.0 mmol/L

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory

Two Twelve Medical Center Laboratory

Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center Laboratory

Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center Laboratory

Methodology

Potentiometric

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84132