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HelpTest Code VENGASLYTES Blood Gas, Venous w/ Lytes
Specimen Information
| Container | Specimen | Storage | Stability |
| Heparinized Syringe | Whole Blood | Ambient | 30 minutes |
After collection, firmly attach the cap (Filter-Pro) onto the syringe, While holding the luer end up, tap the syringe to move any air bubbles to the top. To remove the air, SLOWLY press the plunger and continue to advance until the sample wets the filter.
Reject Due To:
- Specimens received with needles attached
- Evidence of clotting or hemolysis
- Specimens collected in vacutainer tubes
- Specimens with excessive air bubbles
- Specimens received greater than 30 minutes after collection
- Non-heparinized samples
- Other sample types such as urine, CSF, pleural fluid
- Evidence of anticoagulant or IV contamination
- Unlabeled/Mislabeled specimens
- Specimens received on ice / cold packs
Instrumentation / Method
pH - iSTAT / Ion Selective Electrode Potentiometry at 37 C
pCO2 - iSTAT / Direct Potentiometry at 37 C
HCO3 - iSTAT / Calculated from pH and pCO2 results
NA - iSTAT / Ion Selective Electrode Potentiometry
K - iSTAT / Ion Selective Electrode Potentiometry
HCT - iSTAT / Conductivity after correction for eelectrolyte concentration
Test Schedule / Analytical Time / Test Priority
Daily / Immediate / Available STAT
Reference Range
| Analyte | Reference Range | Critical Low | Critical High |
| pH | 7.31 - 7.41 | < 7.25 | > 7.55 |
| pCO2 | 41 - 51 mmHG | N/A | N/A |
| HCO3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| BE/BD | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| NA | 135 - 145 mmol/L | <120* | >155* |
| K | 3.5 - 5.0 mmol/L | <3.0* | >6.2* |
| HCT |
≥ 12 years 38% - 51% |
<20 | >67 |
* Whole blood Sodium and Potassium values should not be used interchangeably with serum or plasma results.
LOINC / CPT/ Ordering
| Analyte | CPT | LOINC |
| VENGASLYTES | 82803 | |
| pH, Venous | 2746-6 | |
| pCO2, Venous | 2021-4 | |
| HCO3 | 14627-4 | |
| BE / BD | 19237-7 | |
| NA, Venous | 84295 | 39791-9 |
| K, Venous | 84132 | 39789-3 |
| HCT, Venous | 85014 | 41654-5 |