Electrolyte Panel, Plasma
Quest Diagnostics
Sample type: Plasma
Requires fasting: No
Phlebotomy required
Details
This panel comprises a group of 4 tests that provide information on an individual's electrolytes, acid-base, and water balance. The panel is usually ordered during hospital and emergency room admission to help diagnose a range of conditions, as well as monitor certain conditions or treatments that affect electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide
- Chloride
- Potassium
- Sodium
Estimated days for results: Results should be available in 2 - 5 business days after the sample is collected
This panel comprises a group of 4 tests that provide information on an individual's electrolytes, acid-base, and water balance. The panel is usually ordered during hospital and emergency room admission to help diagnose a range of conditions as well as monitor certain conditions or treatments that affect electrolyte balance [1].
Symptoms and signs of electrolyte, acid-base, and water imbalance may include dehydration, edema, vomiting, weakness, confusion, and cardiac arrhythmias. These imbalances may be associated with kidney diseases, respiratory distress, and metabolic disorders [1]. The results of the panel components are usually evaluated jointly for patterns. The section below outlines the roles of the analytes assessed with this panel [1].
Sodium: An electrolyte that plays a central role in maintaining the normal distribution of water and appropriate pressure to assure that substances do not leak from cells and organs. Sodium measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving electrolyte imbalance.
Potassium: An electrolyte that is essential for proper muscle and nerve function and helps keep the balance of fluids. Potassium measurements are useful in assessing electrolyte balance in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions characterized by low or high blood potassium levels.
Chloride: An electrolyte that helps maintain volume, acidity, and electrical neutrality of the body fluids. Chloride measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte and metabolic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and diabetic acidosis.
Carbon dioxide (bicarbonate): A type of blood gas used to evaluate the total carbonate buffering system and acid-base balance. Carbon dioxide is generally evaluated with other common electrolytes; the measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous potentially serious disorders associated with changes in body acid-base balance.
References:
1. Rao LV, et al. Laboratory tests. In: Rao LV, eds. Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests. Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis. 11th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2020.
Specimen Information:
1 mL plasma
Symptoms and signs of electrolyte, acid-base, and water imbalance may include dehydration, edema, vomiting, weakness, confusion, and cardiac arrhythmias. These imbalances may be associated with kidney diseases, respiratory distress, and metabolic disorders [1]. The results of the panel components are usually evaluated jointly for patterns. The section below outlines the roles of the analytes assessed with this panel [1].
Sodium: An electrolyte that plays a central role in maintaining the normal distribution of water and appropriate pressure to assure that substances do not leak from cells and organs. Sodium measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving electrolyte imbalance.
Potassium: An electrolyte that is essential for proper muscle and nerve function and helps keep the balance of fluids. Potassium measurements are useful in assessing electrolyte balance in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions characterized by low or high blood potassium levels.
Chloride: An electrolyte that helps maintain volume, acidity, and electrical neutrality of the body fluids. Chloride measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte and metabolic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and diabetic acidosis.
Carbon dioxide (bicarbonate): A type of blood gas used to evaluate the total carbonate buffering system and acid-base balance. Carbon dioxide is generally evaluated with other common electrolytes; the measurements are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous potentially serious disorders associated with changes in body acid-base balance.
References:
1. Rao LV, et al. Laboratory tests. In: Rao LV, eds. Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests. Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis. 11th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2020.
Specimen Information:
1 mL plasma
2–5 business days
Blood Draw Options with Fullscript
Fullscript offers several convenient phlebotomy options to complete your lab testing:
Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers (PSC)
- Location: Visit a nearby Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center.
- Cost: $10 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times. Walk-ins are accepted, but may experience delays. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment.
- Collection Instructions:
- Bring a valid ID.
- Bring your digital or printed requisition form, available in the Labs tab of your Fullscript account.
- Check-in: Scan the QR code from your confirmation email or follow kiosk instructions.
- More Info: Quest Diagnostics blood draw guide
Getlabs Mobile Phlebotomy
- Location: Sample collection at your home or office.
- Cost: $85 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Availability: Available in most locations – enter your ZIP code during checkout to confirm.
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here through your Fullscript account.
- Collection Instructions:
- Have your digital or printed requisition form and valid ID ready.
- Your phlebotomist will contact you by phone to coordinate arrival.
- More Info: Getlabs blood draw guide
Specimen
- Preferred Specimen(s): 1 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) tube
- Alternative: NA
- Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
- Collection Instructions: NA
Storage and shipping instructions
- Transport Container: Transport tube
- Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
- Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 72 hours
- Frozen: 28 days
- Reject Criteria:
- See individual tests
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island
