Potassium
| Sunquest Code: | K | ||
| Epic Code: | LAB114 | Epic Name: | Potassium |
| Order Instructions: | Order KW for whole blood specimens. | ||
| Synonyms: | K; Electrolytes | ||
| Methodology: | Indirect potentiometic | ||
| Turnaround Time: | Performed and reported 24 hours/day. | ||
Collection Instructions
| Specimen: | Blood |
| Optimal Volume: | 2.5 mL |
| Minimum\Peds Volume: | 0.6 mL |
| Container: | Green (lithium heparin, gel) (Capillary (lithium heparin) gas tube, Red (no gel), Red or gold (gel), Dry heparin syringe) |
| Collection Instructions: | Samples from patients with extremely high WBC may have falsely high potassium because of in-vitro cytolysis (pseudohyperkalemia). If suspected, samples should be hand-carried to the laboratory and analyzed as whole blood to minimize mechanical damage to cells. Consider collecting in red no gel to eliminate cells traveling through gel barrier. |
Processing and Shipping
| Specimen Processing: | Centrifuge and aliquot 1.25 mL, 0.1 mL minimum. Store in refrigerator. |
| Shipping Instructions: | Ship at refrigerated temperature. |
| Stability: | 1 week at room or refrigerated temperature; 1 year frozen. |
| Test Performed at or Referral Lab | Chemistry (University of Minnesota Health Maple Grove Clinics, Fairview Range - FRMC, UMMC-East Bank, Oxboro Bloom, Fairview Lakes - FLMC, Fairview Ridges - FRH, Fairview Northland - FNMC, Fairview Southdale - FSH, UMMC/UMMCH-West Bank, M Health Clinic and Surgery Center, Grand Itasca GICH) |
Interpretive
| Critical Range: | Less than 2.7 mmol/L and greater than 6.0 mmol/L
GICH: Less than 2.5 mmol/L and greater than 6.0 mmol/L |
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| Reference Range: |
Serum values may be 0.1-0.2 mmol/L greater than plasma or whole blood values. |
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| Use: | Evaluate potassium metabolism. |
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