.png)
Potassium
3013
cpt
normal turn-around time
assays included
specimen type
minimum required
K
84132
24 hours
K
Serum or Plasma; Urine
1 mL of serum or heparinized plasma; 1 mL of 24 hour urine
collection instructions
Collect blood in a serum separator tube (SST) or a lithium heparin tube.
Allow the blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes if using an SST.
Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Collect urine over a 24-hour period in appropriate container.
Transport the specimen at 2-8°C if not tested within 2 hours.
collection instructions
Hemolysis: Red blood cell destruction can falsely increase glucose levels.
Improper Labeling: Specimen must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers.
Insufficient Quantity: Volume less than 1 mL may not be sufficient for accurate testing.
Lipemia: Excessive fat in the blood can interfere with certain test results.
clinical significance
The Potassium test measures the level of potassium in the blood, which is essential for proper cell function, nerve signal transmission, and muscle contraction, including heart muscle. Abnormal potassium levels can indicate conditions such as hyperkalemia (high potassium) or hypokalemia (low potassium), which may result from kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders, use of certain medications, dehydration, or other medical conditions.