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Nutrition Panel

Nutrition Panel (Inpatients Only)

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5091, Beaker: NUT, Antrim: 17255

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

• This test is only available for order on inpatients.
• Blood should be obtained with as little venous stasis (i.e., tourniquet time) as possible. Fist clenching may result in false elevation of potassium and calcium.
• Specimen should be kept tightly closed since CO₂ will diffuse out if the tube is uncapped. This will cause an erroneously decreased value.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.
Caution: Never refrigerate collection tube prior to centrifugation. This may cause a falsely elevated potassium.  

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST or Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days*
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days*
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

See specific assay for reference range: Albumin, BUN, Calcium, Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Chloride, Creatinine, Glucose, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Prealbumin, Sodium, Total Protein, and Triglycerides.

Test Methodology

Potentiometry, Spectrophotometry, Immunoturbidimetry.

Interpretation

See specific analytes for interpretation.
This assay includes: Albumin, BUN, Calcium, Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Chloride, Creatinine, Glucose, Magnesium, Phosphorus, 
Potassium, Prealbumin, Sodium, Total Protein, and Triglycerides.

Clinical Utility

The nutrition panel is used for monitoring patients receiving parenteral and enteral nutrition.

CPT Codes

82040, 82310, 82374, 82435, 82565, 82947, 83735, 84100, 84132, 84134, 84155, 84295, 84478, 84520.

Contacts

Last Updated

11/2/2023