Potassium, Whole Blood

Test Name

Potassium, Whole Blood

Alternate Description

Whole Blood Potassium

LIS Code

KWB

Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Lab Section

Chemistry

Fluid Type

Whole blood

Specimen Tube Type Transport

Heparinized Syringe On Ice or (gel/non-gel) lithium heparin tube on ice.

Container Whole Blood Required

1.0 ml whole blood in a heparinized syringe or (gel/non-gel) lithium heparin tube on ice.

Critical Value

Male/female and all ages the same: <2.5 mmol/L or >6.5 mmol/L

Summary Test Name

Potassium, Whole Blood

Specimen Stability

2 hour if refrigerated and on ice

Minimum Volume

4 ml whole blood in a heparinized syringe

Specimen Transport

On Ice

Specimen Preparation In House

Keep on ice until analyzed

Stat Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

1 hour

Reference Value

Male/Female ranges the same
Age Normal
>1month to adult 3.5-5.0 mmol/L
0- 1month 4.0-7.0 mmol/L