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Test Code ACAM Acetaminophen

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top

Other Acceptable specimens: N/A

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Acetaminophen

All

All

10-30 μg/mL

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

Acetaminophen

μg/mL

N/A

>150

All

CPT Codes

80307

LOINC Codes

3298-7

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

24 hours

Refrigerated

7 days

Frozen

6 months

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Draw a sample at least 4 hours after drug ingestion to ensure that the plasma or serum concentrations have peaked. Ingestion of massive quantities of acetaminophen or of a modified-release preparation may result in delayed peak serum acetaminophen levels. In such cases, repeated serum concentrations should be obtained.

 

If the time of ingestion is not known, the acetaminophen half-life, an indicator of potential hepatotoxicity, may be estimated by drawing 2 or more blood samples at intervals of 2 to 3 hours.

Test Components

Acetaminophen
 

Clinical Indications

Monitor serum acetaminophen concentrations

Methodology

Homogeneous Enzyme Immunoassay Technique (EMIT)

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • Draw a sample at least 4 hours after drug ingestion to ensure that the plasma or serum concentrations have peaked. Ingestion of massive quantities of acetaminophen or a modified-release preparation may result in delayed peak serum acetaminophen levels. In such cases, repeated serum concentrations should be obtained.
  • If the time of ingestion is not known, the acetaminophen half-life, an indicator of potential hepatotoxicity, may be estimated by drawing 2 or more blood samples at intervals of 2 or 3 hours.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours

Testing Schedule: 24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Tylenol

Last Review Date

8/14/2024