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  • Test Details
  • Lab Values
  • Clinical Significance
  • Treatment Options
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Explore this test

Test Code 1022

Test Details

Potassium

Potassium is an electrolyte vital to cell metabolism.

Methodology

Ion Selective Electrode (ISE)

Patient Preparation

None

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL serum (0.5 mL minimum) collected in serum separator tube (SST/Tiger Top)

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)

Stability

Refrigerated: 14 days

Lab Values

Lab Values

Potassium

  • Low: <3.5 mmol/L
  • Normal: 3.5-5.3 mmol/L
  • High: >5.3 mmol/L
  • Alert: ≤2.5 or ≥6.0 mmol/L
Test Details
Clinical Significance

Clinical Significance

Potassium

  • May be used to diagnose and evaluate hypertension, diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney disease, and to monitor patient receiving dialysis, diuretics, or IV therapy.
  • Elevated levels could indicate excessive potassium intake, kidney disease, diabetes, and dehydration.
  • Low levels of potassium could indicate dehydration or acetaminophen overdose.
Lab Values
Treatment Options

Treatment Options

Potassium

Assess etiology of elevation such as dehydration, vomiting, medications and kidney problems that may be result of abnormal electrolyte imbalance.

Clinical Significance