| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||
| Test Name: |
SODIUM - (P)
Test Code:
NA
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| Clinical Information: |
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation and functions to maintain fluid distribution and osmotic pressure. Measurement of sodium 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) |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.2 mL
Stability 7 days at room temperature or refrigerated, 6 months frozen |
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| 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)
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| Requisition: | |||||
| Reference Values: |
0 - 12 mo: 130-145 mmol/L
≥ 13 mo: 135-147 |
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| Availability: |
Stat or Routine
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| See Also: | |||||
| More Information: |