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Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry
Test Name:
CHLORIDE - (P)
Test Code: CL
Clinical Information:
Chloride is the primary extracellular anion and maintains body water distribution, osmotic pressure and normal anion-cation balance. Measurement of chloride is important for the assessment of acid-base balance, water balance and dehydration. An elevated anion gap strongly suggests the presence of metabolic acidosis. The serum anion gap is calculated automatically on sera analyzed for Na+, Cl- and total CO2.
Anion gap = Na - (Cl + TCO2)
Collection Devices:
Specimen Required:


Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.2 mL

Stability 7 days at room temperature or refrigerated, 6 months frozen
 
Referral:
Serum: 2.0 mL

Samples must be transferred to an aliquot tube, tightly capped and stored frozen if analysis will not be complete within 48 hours (#110-10-05 Serum / Plasma Separation Procedure and Transport)
Requisition:
Reference Values:
97-106 mmol/L
Availability:
Stat or Routine
See Also:
More Information: