Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube-Hemolyzed specimen or

                    sodium heparin tube is not acceptable.

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

Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL of plasma or serum

Stability: Stable for at least one week stored at (2-8ºC) and for at least one year frozen.

Note: 1. Elevated platelets can cause a falsely elevated serum potassium level because

              of the release of potassium during clotting process. Specimens from patients with

              elevated platelet counts must be drawn in a heparinized plasma tube.