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Big 7 (Basic Metabolic Screen)
Test CodeB7
CPT Codes
80048
Includes
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Carbon Dioxide, Anion Gap, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine Ratio, Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Glucose, Calcium
Preferred Specimen
Serum (gold top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube
Transport Container
Serum (gold top) tube or Lithium Heparin Plasma (green top) tube
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature or Refrigeration
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature - 4 hours; Refrigerated - 3 days; Frozen - 1 month. Stabilities for individual tests will vary. Shortest stability times are listed. See individual tests for stability of each test.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis, Quantity Not Sufficient, EDTA (purple top tube) contamination, IV contamination
Methodology
Colorimetric, Potentiometric
Setup Schedule
Daily upon receipt
Report Available
Upon completion of analysis
Limitations
Heparinized catheters may contain benzalkonium chloride and should not be used for collection due to interference with testing. Do not use specimens obtained through catheters used to infuse hyperalimentation fluid. Blood from patients receiving Hypaque radiographic contrast agent cannot be used due to interference with calcium testing. Do not use blood on patients receiving EDTA therapy. Suramin, an antiparasitic drug, has been reported to cause a bias of -10% in calcium results at a suramin concentration of 300 μg/mL. Calcium results from recumbent patients may be 3% lower. Blood collected with stasis may have calcium concentrations 15% higher. Ammonium ions may cause an increase in measured BUN/UREA value equivalent to the specimen’s nitrogen content. A delay in centrifugation of several hours can result in a falsely increased potassium result and a falsely decreased glucose result.
Reference Range
See report or individual tests for reference ranges.
Clinical Significance
A Basic Metabolic Panel is a group of chemistry tests often ordered during a routine physical exam or to diagnose or monitor various conditions and diseases. It includes information about electrolytes (which can reveal information about acid/base balance, hydration status, or other related conditions), renal function, glucose and calcium levels. Related to this panel is the Complete Metabolic Panel, which includes all tests in a Basic Metabolic Panel, as well as additional tests related to hepatic function.