Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

2 ml whole blood from light green top tube or 1 light green microtube 
for pediatric patients

Testing
Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

24-32 mEq/L

Pediatric Reference Ranges:

Age        Range  Units
Cordblood  15-20  mEq/l
Child      18-27  mEq/l

Critical value: <10 mEq/l and >50 mEq/l

Comments:

This test measures bicarbonate + dissolved CO2.

Test
Limitations:

Plasma
Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 60 
(approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 60 
mg/dl).

Hemolysis: Significant negative interference at an H index greater than 
800.

Lipemia (Intralipid): Significant negative interference at an L index 
greater than 2,000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 500 
mg/dl). There is poor correlation between turbidity and triglycerides 
concentration.

Methodology:

Enzymatic

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
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.

CPT Code:

82374

See Additional Information:
Chemistry Critical Lab Values