Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

5 mL whole blood from light green top tube or four light green top 
microtubes for pediatric patients.

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1630 Monday through Friday.
0600-1400 Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Sample must be received by 1200 for same
day service.  For additional services,
contact Clinical Pathology Resident on-call
at #3404.

Analytic Time:

8 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

Metabolite of nitroprusside; cyanide liberated during metabolism
of sodium nitroprusside is converted to thiocyanate.  Toxic
symptoms appear between 5-10 mg/dl thiocyanate.

Methodology:

Colorimetric

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.

Sample
Storage:

Room temperature or refrigerate if stored overnight, weekends or 
holidays.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Ship ambient or refrigerate.

CPT Code:

84430