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Test Code CO2 CO2, Total

Additional Codes

 Test ID
CO2

EPIC Test ID
LAB55

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids

Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube

Acceptable: Gold-top serum gel tube or plain red-top tube

Minimum Specimen Volume: 1 µL of sample plus a dead volume

Stability: Separated specimens should be analyzed immediately. Sample is stable for 7 days at 4-8 ⁰C

Collection Instructions: Tube should be kept capped as much as possible.

Reference Values

22-29 mmol/L

Critical Value

≥18 years of age:  <10 mmol/L

≥18 years of age:  >45 mmol/L

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Useful For

The total carbon dioxide content of serum or plasma is a significant indicator of electrolyte dispersion and anion deficit.  Together with pH determination, CO2 measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous potentially serious disorders associated with acid-base imbalance in the respiratory and metabolic systems.

Methodology

Rate Reaction

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82374

Report Available

STAT:  Within 1 hour of receipt

Routine:  Within 2 hours of receipt