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Test Code =Lytes =Lytes

Important Note

Place specimen in outside pocket of a pre-filled biohazard bag of ice, then put into a separate biohazard bag for transport.

Do not place on ice at Bellevue, South, or North Clinic. EPOC capillary tubes are only accepted at Bellevue, South, and North Clinics.

Clinical System Name

Electrolytes, Syringe

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Whole Blood

Container(s):  Heparinized Syringe, 2 Capillary Blood Gas Tubes

Preferred Vol:  1.0 mL Heparinized Syringe or 2 Full Capillary Blood Gas Tubes

Minimum Vol:  2 Heparinized Capillary Blood Gas Tubes  (EPOC capillary tubes are only acceptable at Bellevue, South, or North clinics ).

 

Notes: Sample can be shared with a CBG if 2 capillary tubes are collected.

Processing Instructions

Reject due to:  Inadequately filled specimens, air bubbles, visible clots, age of specimen

Spin: N

Aliquot: N

Temp: 0-4 C

Storage location:  Core Lab Fridge

 

Off-site collection: Samples collected outside Children's must be drawn in a heparin syringe and sent at 0-4 C within 4 hours.

Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time

Heparinized Syringe, Heparinized Capillary Blood Gas Tube

RT

≤ 30 min

≤ 10 min at Bellevue, South, North

Heparinized Syringe, Heparinized Capillary Blood Gas Tube

0-4 C

≤ 4 h

  -20 C or -70 C

N

Availability

STAT Performed TAT
Y 24/7 15 min

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory    

Department

Department:  Core Chemistry

Phone Number: 206-987-2617 (Client Services)

CPT Codes

80051

Methodology

Method:  Potentiometric method by SIEMENS RAPIDPOINT 500 Analyzer

Analytical Volume: 

0-2 Y

1 Heparinized Capillary Blood Gas Tube

> 2 Y

0.5 mL Heparinized Syringe

Reference Range

               Reference Ranges

Analyte (unit)

Age

Whole Blood

Sodium (mmol/L)

 

0 - 1 w

1 w - adult

132 - 142

135 - 145

Potassium (mmol/L)

0 - 2 d

2 d - 3 m

3 m - adult

3.7 - 5.9

3.4 - 5.6

3.5 - 5.5

Chloride (mmol/L)

0 - 1 y

1 y - adult

96 - 110

96 - 109

CO2 total calculated (mEq/L)

All ages

18 - 27

 

Description

Rapid analysis of sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide.

Critical Values

                        Critical Values

   
Analyte (unit)

Age

Low

High

Sodium (mmol/L)

All

≤ 124

≥ 160

Potassium (mmol/L)

0 -2 day

2 day – adult

≤ 3.0

≤ 3.0

≥ 6.5

≥ 6.0

Chloride (mmol/L)

Child – adult

≤ 70

≥ 130

CO2 total calculated (mEq/L)

All Ages

≤ 10

≥ 40