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Test Code GRAV Body Fluid Specific Gravity

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Body fluid (not CSF) 

Preferred Specimen: Sterile container

Other Acceptable specimens: Not applicable 

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: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. Specimens must be received within 4 hours. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimens prior to transport. 

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. 
  • Frozen or heated specimens will be rejected
  • Clotted or quantity not sufficient specimens are not suitable for testing and will be rejected.

Reference Values

Not applicable

Critical Values

Not applicable 

Turnaround Time

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

 

STAT Turnaround Time: Not available STAT

 

Routine Turnaround Time: 24 hours

 

Testing Schedule: 24/7

CPT Codes

84315

LOINC Codes

GRAV 35414-2

Volume

Preferred Volume: 4.0 mL

Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

(20 - 25°C)

 4 hours 

Refrigerated

(2 - 10°C)

 24 hours 

Frozen

(-20°C)

not acceptable

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

Test Components

Specific gravity

Clinical Indications

  • May aid in the distinction between transudative and exudative fluid

Methodology

Refractometer 

Synonyms/Search Keywords

Fluid specific gravity 

Additional Information

Not applicable 

Last Reviewed Date

8/12/2024