Potassium, Blood

Overview
Department	Biochemistry
Test Code
Synonyms	Blood Gas Potassium BGK Urgent Potassium STAT Potassium
Availability	Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
Turnaround Time	30 mins - 1 hr
Stability – Add test
Specimen Requirements
Specimen	Whole blood
Preferred	1 mL in heparinised syringe
Acceptable
Unacceptable	Clotted Samples samples with needle attached
Specimen Transportation	Must arrive in lab within 15 min of collection
Paediatric Requirements	0.1 mL in blood gas capillary.
Aliquot Requirements
Sample
Preferred Volume
Minimum Volume
Aliquot Transportation
Clinical Information
Reference Intervals	Reference Range 3.5 - 5.0 mmol/L
Test Method	Indirect Ion Specific Electrodes using Radiometer ABL 90 FLEX.
Advanced Notice	Not required
Patient Preparation	Not required
Comments

Owner	Clair Crossley (Crossley1)
Last reviewed	12.09.2025
Next review	12.09.2026 (Overdue)