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HelpTest Code K Potassium
Useful For
Potassium measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of hypokalemia (metabolic alkalosis, metabolic acidosis or the absence of acid-base disturbances), hyperkalemia (overadministration of potassium, acidosis, or crush injuries), renal failure, Addison’s disease or other diseases involving electrolyte imbalance.
Synonyms/Keywords
K
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Plasma/Serum | Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST), Serum Separator Tube (SST) | Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT), Red Top Tube (RTT) | 1 mL | 0.3 mL | 0.6 mL whole blood |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Centrifuge and remove serum/plasma from cells within two hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma/Serum | Ambient | 5 days |
| Refrigerate | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 1 year |
Rejection Criteria
- Hemolyzed specimens
- Specimens collected with potassium oxalate / sodium fluoride anticoagulants
Interferences
Hemolysis will falsely elevate potassium.
Patients with a high WBC (>30,000) and an association with leukemia, may show a falsely elevated K result (WBC lysis releases intracellular potassium).
When interference is suspected a serum (red) tube should be drawn and run for K.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites | 0-12 months: 3.3-5.9 mmol/L > 12 months: 3.4-5.1 mmol/L |
| See Critical Value List for list of current critical values | |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Chippewa Falls | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Weston | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Eau Claire | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Park Falls | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Ladysmith | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Rice Lake | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Minocqua | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Neillsville | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Stevens Point | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
| Wisconsin Rapids | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | ISE/Beckman AU |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84132 | 1 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84132 | 1 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Potassium Level |