Sign in →

Test Code Cl Chloride Level

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

Chloride Level

Chloride Level

Cl

 

Useful For

Chloride is the major anion in the extracellular water space; its physiological significance is in maintaining proper body water distribution, osmotic pressure, and normal anion-cation balance in the extracellular fluid compartment. Chloride is increased in dehydration, in renal tubular acidosis (hyperchloremia metabolic acidosis), and in excessive infusion of isotonic saline. Chloride is decreased in overhydration, chronic respiratory acidosis, salt-losing nephritis, metabolic alkalosis, and congestive heart failure.

Methodology

Potentiometric

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Standard phlebotomy practices.

Specimen Requirements

Container

Specimen Type

Tube

Lithium Heparin Plasma

PST

 or  or 

Serum

 or 

SST

 or  or 

 

Stability

Storage

Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

18-28°C

≤ 7 days

If separated within 4 hours

Refrigerated

 2-8°C

≤ 4 weeks

If separated within 4 hours

Frozen

≤-18 °C

Indefinite

If separated within 4 hours

Rejection Criteria

Gross Hemolysis

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reported in mmol/L.

Age

Low

High

Critical Low

Critical High

0-1Y

96

110

            N/A

N/A

1-18Y

96

109

N/A

N/A

18-150Y

98

107

N/A

N/A

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • Ortho reports a bias with the following:
    • 5-aminosalicylic acid at 4 mg/dl may cause a negative bias
    • Glutathione at 1 mg/dL may cause a negative bias
    • Naproxen at 504.5 mg/dL may cause a positive bias
    • Terazosin at 3.03 may cause a negative bias
    • Lipemia at 600 mg/dL may cause a positive bias
    • Bromide and Iodide may cause a positive bias
  • Ortho reports no significant effect with the following: 
    • Bilirubin up to 40 mg/dL
    • Hemoglobin up to 1000 mg/dL
  • The following interpretive data is visible to the practitioner:
    • Bromide and iodide from therapeutic drugs and ointments may cause a positive bias of 5-6 mmol/L