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Lab Dept:
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Chemistry
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Test Name:
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POTASSIUM (K)
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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K
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Synonyms:
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K
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CPT Codes:
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84132 – Potassium; serum
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Test Includes:
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Potassium concentration measured in mEq/L. Test is also a part of the Electrolyte Panel, Basic Metabolic Panel, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and Renal Panel.
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Potassium is the major intracellular cation. Elevated values may be found in kidney disease, adrenal insufficiency, and diabetes mellitus. Low values are noted in prolonged diarrhea, vomiting and administration of diuretics.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Chemistry
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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30 minutes
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Special Instructions:
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See Collection
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Blood
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Container:
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Green top (Li Heparin) preferred
Alternate tube: Red top (plain, no gel) tube
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Draw Volume:
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0.6 mL blood
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Processed Volume:
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0.2 mL serum/plasma
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Collection:
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Routine collection. Must be an atraumatic draw without hemolysis.
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen within 1 hour of collection, and remove serum/plasma aliquot into a plastic sample cup. Store at refrigerated temperatures.
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Patient Preparation:
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None
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Sample Rejection:
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Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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Age:
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Range (mEq/L):
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0 - 7 days:
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3.7 - 5.0 mEq/L
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8 days - 1 year:
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4.1 - 5.3 mEq/L
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1 - 12 years:
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3.5 - 5.5 mEq/L
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>12 years:
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3.5 - 5.3 mEq/L
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Critical Values:
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<2.5 mEq/L or >6.5 mEq/L
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Limitations:
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Hemolysis of the sample will yield falsely increased potassium results. Hemolysis will be noted as a comment along with numerical results.
Samples exposed to benzylonium salts, present in certain blood catheter devices, will cause falsely increased potassium levels.
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Methodology:
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Integrated Multisensor Technology
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References:
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QuikLYTEŽ Integrated Multisensor insert sheet (2009-09-10) PN 717500.003 - US
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Dimension RxL MAX Operator’s Guide (05/2003)
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Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry3rd Edition (1999) W.B. Saunders Company
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Clinical Significance Dade Behring Inc., Glasgow Business Community, Mailbox 531, P.O. Box 6101, Newark, Delaware 19714
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Jacobs & DeMott Laboratory Test Handbook (2001) Lexi-Comp, Inc, Hudson, OH, 5th Edition
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Updates:
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2/17/2005: Lower end Critical Value previously listed as <3.0 mEq/L.
8/13/2009: Turnaround time previously listed as 2 hours.
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