A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Potassium, Arterial

Test Code
POTASSIUM,ARTERIAL


Preferred Specimen
Arterial blood in a lithium heparin syringe.


Transport Temperature
This test is for West Roxbury only! Must deliver to lab at room temperature withing 30 minutes of draw.


Setup Schedule
Daily


Report Available
TAT 1 day


Reference Range
Test Unit Reference Range     Reportable
    Arterial Venous Mixed Range
Sodium mmol/L 136-145     100-180
Potassium mmol/L 3.5 –5.1     1-10.1
Chloride mmol/L 98-107     72-158
Glucose mg/dL 65-95     18-685
Ionized calcium mg/dL 4.60-5.32
 		 4.64-5.32
 		   1.1-13.12
Lactic Acid Mmol/L 0.36-0.75 0.56-1.39   0.3-17
PH pH 7.35-7.45 7.32-7.43 7.32-7.43 6.80-7.92
PCO2 mmHg Male: 35-48
Female: 32-35		 Male: 41-52
Female: 38-41		 36-52 18-126
PO2 mmHg 83-108     42-501
HCO3* mmol/L 21-28 22-29 22-29  
BE* mmol/L (-2) - (+3) (-2) - (+3) (-2) - (+3)  
Anion Gap* mmol/L 10-20      
O2 SAT* % 94.0-98.0      
COHb % < 3.0 (nonsmoker)
< 10.0 (smoker)		 < 3.0 (nonsmoker)
< 10.0 (smoker)		 < 3.0 (nonsmoker)
< 10.0 (smoker)		 0.3-75
MetHb % 0.0-1.5 0.0-1.5 0.0-1.5 0.7-30
 
 
Critical values.
 
Analyte Results
SODIUM,ARTERIAL < 120 > 160
POTASSIUM,ARTERIAL < 2.8 > 6.0
CHLORIDE,ARTERIAL < 60 > 150
CALCIUM, ION. VENOUS < 3.0 > 6.5
CALCIUM, ION. ARTER < 3.0 >6.5
GLUCOSE, ARTERIAL 50 500


Clinical Significance
Potassium (K+) is the major intracellular cation and plays an important role in maintaining cell membrane potential in neuromuscular tissue. Monitoring potassium levels is especially important for patients who are undergoing surgery, who are experiencing cardiac arrhythmias or acute renal failure, who are being treated with diuretics, or who are receiving dialysis.


Performing Laboratory
Test performed at West Roxbury Chemistry Lab
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek 857-203-5973  
 


Last Updated: April 17, 2026


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.