ELECTROLYTE TEST
Electrolytes are charged ions found in intracellular, extracellular, and interstitial fluid. Testing for
PROCEDURE
Electrolytes must be prioritized before other routine blood chemistry tests. The sample used must have
already been separated for 2 hours.
The machine used is EasyLyte® Analyzer which measures sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca)
and pH.
1.
Perform a machine rinse with rinse reagent before any other procedures (performed daily).
2.
Calibrate the machine with the manufacturer’s calibrator. Compare with target calibration
values.
3.
Run a QC before running any samples for the day – use the normal control first, then the
abnormal high control. Compare results with acceptable values.
If the results are not within acceptable values, rerun the control samples starting with normal
control. Do not proceed to running patient samples when QC results are unacceptable.
4.
Begin running patient samples by aspirating the serum. Make sure the probe does not touch
the red cell portion of the blood sample. When the probe is at the appropriate level, press the
“Yes” button when asked to aspirate.
5.
Once analysis is done, copy the results shown on the screen. The machine does not save its
previous results (also, some machines have no printing capabilities). Running another sample
will cause previous results to disappear.
By: Ric Dominic V. Zarate
1st Rot Batch 3 – Clinical Chemistry