Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Potassium (Blood Gas)

External Price (excl. GST)

2.63

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

1.0 mL blood in an adult blood gas syringe or 0.5 mL in a paediatric blood gas syringe

Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols

Remove at least 3 ml of blood to waste prior to collecting the blood sample from a line

Paediatric Specimen

0.5 mL blood in a paediatric blood gas syringe

Test Information

Department

POCT

Test Availability

Mon - Sun, 24hrs

Laboratory Turnaround Time

30 minutes

Method

Blood gas analyser

Unit of measurement

mmol/L

Reference interval

3.5 - 5.2 mmol/L

Uncertainty of measurement

± 0.1

Additional Information

Haemolysis and delay in delivery of the specimen will cause elevated levels.  Micro samples may have elevated potassium due to haemolysis. Where hypokalaemia is suspected, avoid stasis with tourniquet and avoid having the patient pump their hand.

Minimum Volume

0.3 ml collected into a paediatric blood gas syringe

Electronic Information

Registration Code

POTBG

HL7 mapping code

$POTBG

LOINC Code

6298-4