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| Test Name: | Lactic Acid, Plasma |
|---|---|
| Test Code: | 004770 |
| Other Names: | N/A |
| Test Includes: | Lactic Acid, Plasma |
| Specimen Requirements: | Plasma, 1 mL |
| Container: | Gray-top (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate or sodium fluoride/sodium heparin) tube |
| Collection Instructions: | Keep gray-top tube on ice. Draw blood in gray-top tube. Mix well by gentle inversion at least six times. Return to ice bath to cool. Avoid hand-clenching and, if possible, avoid use of a tourniquet. A tourniquet with patient clenching and unclenching hand will lead to high potassium and lactic acid buildup from the hand muscles, and pH will decrease. It is best to avoid a tourniquet for electrolytes and lactic acid or to release it after blood begins to flow into tube. If the tourniquet is released before blood is drawn, wait about a minute before drawing. Within 15 minutes from draw, separate the plasma from blood by centrifugation for 10 minutes. Immediately transfer the plasma portion of the sample to a labeled plastic transfer tube. Avoid excessive forces that contribute to hemolysis. |
| Stability: | Maintain specimen at room temperature, refrigerate OR freeze. |
| Rejection Criteria / Special Instructions: | N/A |
| Methodology: | Lactate - pyruvate; spectrophotometry |