Potassium, Direct Potentiometry, Whole Blood
K, Potassium, KWB
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5362
Department
Chemistry
Instructions
Potassium, Direct Potentiometry should ONLY be collected at the Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Taylor, Trenton, Troy, or Wayne Hospital Campuses. Specimens should not be collected at any other Beaumont Laboratory drawsite, nursing home, or Outreach office.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect (preferred specimen): One Dark Green-top Lithium Heparin tube (Minimum Whole Blood: 1.0 mL).
Transport specimen STAT to the Laboratory after collection.
Rejection Criteria
Specimen in which significant delays occur before arrival in the Laboratory (greater than 2 hours).
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
Transport the specimen STAT to the STAT Laboratory (Royal Oak) or Chemistry Laboratory on site.
In-Lab Processing
Immediately analyze the whole blood specimen (or plasma, after centrifugation) upon receipt in the Laboratory.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Dark Green-top Lithium Heparin tube
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
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 STAT Laboratory
Taylor Chemistry Laboratory
Trenton Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Wayne Chemistry Laboratory
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Results available within 30 minutes of receipt in the laboratory.
Reference Range
Potassium
Adult range: 3.5-5.2 mmol/L.
Age related reference range:
| Age |
Range (mmol/L) |
| 0 - 1 day |
5.0 – 7.5 |
| 2 days - 3 months |
4.0 – 6.0 |
| 4 months - adult |
3.5 – 5.2 |
Test Methodology
Direct Potentiometry.
Interpretation
See Potassium.
Clinical Utility
The quantitation of potassium is used to monitor electrolyte balance.
Pseudohyperkalemia: If an increase in platelets or leukocytes is suspected as a cause of hyperkalemia, a heparin tube should be obtained for plasma potassium.
CPT Codes
84132
Contacts
Chemistry Laboratory – DBN
313-436-2196
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – DBN
Location:
Phone: 313-436-2196
Chemistry Laboratory – FH
947-521-5252
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-5252
Chemistry Laboratory – GP
313-473-1807
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1807
STAT Laboratory – RO
248-898-0325
Name: STAT Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-898-0325
Chemistry Laboratory – TYL
313-295-5360
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – TYL
Location:
Phone: 313-295-5360
Chemistry Laboratory – TRN
734-671-3165
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – TRN
Location:
Phone: 734-671-3165
Chemistry Laboratory – TR
248-964-8070
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-8070
Main Laboratory –WYN
734-467-4274
Name: Main Laboratory –WYN
Location:
Phone: 734-467-4274
Last Updated
10/29/2023
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