Category
Routine Chemistry
Sub Category
Electrolytes
Synonym/Aliases
- N/A
Abbreviations
Na, K, Cl
Type
PROFILE/ PANEL (BUNDLED TESTS)
Results
RESULTS READY WITHIN 2 TO 3 HOURS
Method
ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODE (ISE)
Temp
AMBIENT (6 HOURS), REFRIGERATED (3 DAYS), FROZEN (14 DAYS)
Setup
ALL WORKING DAYS
Components Parameters
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride
PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS
Test Ordering Instructions
FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.
Patient preparation
- N/A
Sample type
SERUM
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
Sample volume
3 ML
Rejection criteria
HEMOLYZED, LIPEMIC, ICTERIC SAMPLES
Other Instructions
ALLOW SAMPLE TO CLOT FOR 30 MINUTES AND SEPARATE WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION
Reference intervals
APPROPRIATE VALUES PROVIDED WITH REPORT
Clinical Utility
VARIABLE; HELPS DETERMINE WHETHER THERE'S AN ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE IN THE BODY
Test Limitations / Confounders
PSEUDOHYPERKALEMIA CAN ARISE FROM ERRORS DURING SAMPLE COLLECTION, DIFFICULT COLLECTIONS, SAMPLE MISHANDLING RESULTING IN HEMOLYSIS, MISREPRESENTATION OF EDTA PLASMA (INAPPROPRIATE SPECIMEN TYPE) AS SERUM & IN PATIENTS WITH MARKED LEUKOCYTOSIS. FOR THE LATTER, TESTING SHOULD BE DONE USING LITHIUM HEPARIN PLASMA.