Acetaminophen
| Order Code: | APAP |
| Order Form: | Laboratory Requisition |
Specimen:
Plasma
Collection Medium:
 |
| Plasma Separator Tube |
Alternate
Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL; light green top tube or ONE microtainer.
Testing
Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around
Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Acetaminophen concentrations greater than 150 mcg/mL at four hours
after ingestion or greater than 40 mcg/mL at 12 hours after ingestion
are often associated with toxicity.
Critical value: >40 mcg/mL
Test
Limitations:
Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 150
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 150 mg/dL).
Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 1600 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 3200 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.
Icterus: Icterus can cause positive interference with the acetaminophen assay. Specimens with an icteric index of 20 or greater (approximate total bilirubin concentration of 20 mg/dL) can cause acetaminophen results exceeding 5 mcg/dL in acetaminophen-free samples. Testing is cancelled with an icteric index of 30 or greater. At an icteric index of 30 or above, interferences exceeding 20 mcg/dL acetaminophen may be seen.
Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 1600 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 3200 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.
Icterus: Icterus can cause positive interference with the acetaminophen assay. Specimens with an icteric index of 20 or greater (approximate total bilirubin concentration of 20 mg/dL) can cause acetaminophen results exceeding 5 mcg/dL in acetaminophen-free samples. Testing is cancelled with an icteric index of 30 or greater. At an icteric index of 30 or above, interferences exceeding 20 mcg/dL acetaminophen may be seen.
Methodology:
Colorimetric
Sample
Processing:
Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Sample
Storage:
Refrigerate.
Transport
Instructions:
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.
CPT Code:
82003
See Additional Information:
Chemistry Critical Lab Values
Chemistry Critical Lab Values