Potassium

Casandra

Casandra Test Code LC07503Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab LabcorpLab Test ID 001180CPT Code 84132

Clinical Use

Use

Evaluate electrolyte balance; followed patients on diuretic therapy and with renal diseases, particularly salt-losing nephropathy; evaluate patients being treated for acidosis; prevent cardiac arrhythmias; evaluate alcoholism with delirium tremens; evaluate and treat ketoacidosis in diabetes mellitus; evaluate acid-base balance, water balance; manage intravenous therapy; evaluate anion gap; evaluate muscular weakness, leukemia, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract including laxative abuse, large villous adenomas, emesis, fistulas and tube drainage; detect, diagnose, and manage mineral corticoid excess (primary aldosteronism, Cushing syndrome, tumor with ectopic ACTH production, some cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia); licorice ingestion. Potassium is increased in oliguria, anuria, urinary obstruction, renal failure due to shock (decreased removal of potassium), and renal tubular acidosis. Potassium is decreased in three ways:

Special Instructions

Ensure proper specimen collection, processing, and handling techniques to prevent pseudo hyperkalemia. Use proper draw techniques to avoid hemolysis and ensure accuracy. Collection above infusion sites or contamination by potassium-containing antiseptics may lead to inaccurate results. Serum or plasma must be separated from cells within 45 minutes of collection.

Limitations

Pseudo hyperkalemia can occur due to various pre-analytical factors such as fist clenching, prolonged tourniquet application, traumatic collection, or contamination at the blood draw. Processing issues like prolonged exposure to cells or inappropriate centrifugation can also lead to falsely elevated potassium levels. Certain physiological factors like thrombocytosis or leukocytosis may also influence results. Proper collection and handling are crucial to avoid these issues.

Test Details