Potassium, Plasma

Test Code

11014

CPT Codes
84132

Preferred Specimen

1 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Instructions

Separate plasma from cells promptly.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

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

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

Hemolysis • Serum • Any anticoagulant other than lithium or sodium heparin

Methodology
Ion Selective Electrode (ISE)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day

Reference Range

3.4-4.8 mmol/L

Clinical Significance

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).

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.