Electrolytes

Test Code

LAB16

Alias/See Also

LYTES

CPT Codes
80051

Includes

Anion gap; carbon dioxide; chloride; potassium; sodium

Instructions

"Routine venipuncture
Collect one 4.5ml light green top (lithium heparin) tubeor one 5ml Red/gold top serum separator tube"

Specimen Stability

Refrigerate, stable 48 hours; stable 8 hours at room temperature; stable >48 hours if frozen.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Insufficient quantity; gross hemolysis, lipemia, or icterus; failure to follow stability requirements

Methodology
"Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride: Potentiometric. Carbon Dioxide: Enxymatic endpoint. Anion Gap: calculated"

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

"Daily
STAT:1 hr"

Reference Range

Sodium:            135-145 mmol/L     Critical value: Less than/equal to 119, greater than/equal to 161
Potassium:        3.5-5.1 mmol/L       Critical value: Less than/equal to 2.9, greater than/equal to 6.6
Chloride:           98-107 mmol/L
Carbon Dioxide: 22-32 mmol/L        Critical value: Less than/equal to 9, greater than/equal to 61
Anion Gap:         5-11

Clinical Significance

"Click on the link below to see interpretive data about this test:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/electrolytes/faq.html"

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.