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Test Code RTMETBV Metabolic and Electrolye with Lactate, Venous 

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Whole blood

Preferred Specimen: Syringe

Other Acceptable Specimens: None

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 
  • Testing must be performed within 30 minutes of collection 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Specimens are not acceptable from offsite locations for blood gas testing 

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 with needles attached will be rejected. 
  • Specimens with air bubbles. 

Reference Values

Analyte

Age

Sex

Normal Range

Sodium (Na+)

All

All

135 – 145 mmol/L

Potassium (K+)

All

All

3.5 – 5.5 mmol/L

Chloride (Cl-)

All

All

95 – 105 mmol/L

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

All

All

22 – 29 mmol/L

Glucose

All

All

70 – 120 mg/dL

Ca++

All

All

1.15 – 1.35 mmol/L

Lactate

All

All

0.6 – 2.2 mmol/L

Hemoglobin

All

All

12.0 – 18.0 g/dL

Critical Values

Analyte

Age

Low

High

Sodium (Na+)

All

<120 mmol/L

>160 mmol/L

Potassium (K+)

All

<2.8 mmol/L

≥6.0 mmol/L

Glucose

All

<40 mg/dL

>500 mg/dL

Hemoglobin

All

<6.0 g/dL

NA

CPT Codes

TBD

LOINC Codes

TBD

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

30 minutes

Refrigerated

not acceptable

Frozen

not acceptable

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Test Components

Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Glucose, Calcium, Lactate, Bicarbonate, Hemoglobin 

Methodology

Direct measurement 

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

Last Review Date

4/29/2025