POTASSIUM, PLASMA

Clinical Significance
Potassium, Plasma - False elevations of potassium may be due to hemolysis or rupture of platelets during coagulation process. The use of plasma potassium levels should be limited to those patients with spuriously elevated or depressed potassium levels due to blood samples left at room temperature, in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia with very high WBC counts (false decline), and those with thrombocytosis (increased platelets) with counts in excess of one million (false elevation).
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL

Transport Container
Transport tube

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Serum • Any anticoagulants other than lithium or sodium heparin

Setup Schedule, Preferred Specimen(s), Alternative Specimen(s), Collection Instructions